QX Resources (ASX:QXR) gets drill rod turning at Turner River lithium project, shares jump

Highlights:

• QX Resources has commenced maiden reverse circulation (RC) drilling at the Turner River hard-rock lithium project.
• The project has potential for significant lithium mica mineralisation, says Managing Director Steve Promnitz.
• The drilling campaign will target the potential for either lithium bearing pegmatites or a new style of large tonnage hard rock lithium deposit rich in lithium micas (lepidolite) which extends under shallow cover.

Shares of QX Resources Ltd. (ASX: QXR) gained nearly 6% to trade at AU$0.053 midday on 12 December 2022 following an upbeat company update.

In a significant development, the company has announced the commencement of maiden drilling at its 100%-owned hard rock lithium project at Turner River, Western Australia.

QXR kicks off lithium-focused drilling at Turner River

The maiden RC drilling program is overseen by technical consultants, Resource Potentials. Dr. Jayson Meyers is leading the team with his significant experience in the Pilbara lithium region and at nearby operating mines.

The maiden 1,500-metre reverse circulation (RC) drilling programme will target the potential for either lithium mica and spodumene containing pegmatites or a new style of large tonnage hard rock lithium deposit. These deposits are present near the top of a large granite body which is rich in lithium micas (lepidolite). The Cinovec deposit in the Czech Republic is an example of lepidolite.

There is a thin regolith cover at the Carbonate Hill prospect within the Turner River project exploration licences (E45/6042, E45/6065). It is interpreted that both of the targeted lithium mineralisation styles are extending under the thin regolith cover. Western Australia and other countries have similar deposits; however, they are yet to be defined as major lithium projects in Australia.

This is what QXR Managing Director Steve Promnitz has to say:  

The current drilling campaign is planned in four drill fences of angled holes with an area of 400m x 300m.

Airborne geophysical survey in the cards

QX Resources has also planned an airborne geophysical survey for assessing the extensions of lithium mica minerals over the project licence areas.

Turner River hard rock lithium project

The Turner River project sits adjacent to Mineral Resources’ Wodgina lithium mine within the Pilbara lithium province.

A recently`reported rock chip samples of 1.6% Li₂O, 1.1% Li₂O and 4.9% Li₂O were returned from large, coarse grained sub-crop of lepidolite, a lithium rich mica sought after by some end users, says the company.

Location Map Turner River; Lepidolite in rock samples

Image source: QXR update