Gold Mountain Limited has outlined a strategic 14-hole drilling campaign targeting high-priority lithium anomalies in Brazil’s Bananal Valley, following comprehensive soil sampling and mapping at its Salinas II Project.
- 224 soil samples analyzed revealing 10 high-priority lithium anomalies
- 14-hole drill program designed to test lithium targets in Bananal Valley
- Environmental permits to be secured before drilling commences
- Lithium anomalies coincide with weathered pegmatite outcrops
- Proximity to Latin Resources’ Collina Lithium Deposit underscores district potential
Exploration Advances in Brazil’s Lithium Belt
Gold Mountain Limited (ASX: GMN) has taken a significant step forward in its lithium exploration efforts with the definition of a 14-hole drill program at its Salinas II Project in the Bananal Valley, Brazil. This follows the receipt and analysis of 224 soil samples from the southern section of the project, which identified 10 high-priority lithium anomalies. The company’s exploration team has combined these geochemical results with detailed mapping to pinpoint targets associated with weathered pegmatite outcrops, a key host for lithium mineralisation.
The Bananal Valley lies within a highly prospective lithium district, highlighted by the nearby Latin Resources’ Collina Lithium Deposit, which boasts a JORC-compliant resource of 70.9 million tonnes at 1.25% Li2O. Gold Mountain’s Salinas II tenements are situated along the same regional structural strike, suggesting potential for analogous lithium-bearing pegmatite systems.
Soil Sampling and Geological Insights
The soil sampling program employed lines spaced at 100 to 200 metres with samples taken every 50 metres, providing a robust geochemical grid over the target area. Lithium anomalies were detected over a 1.5-kilometre strike length, often coincident with pathfinder elements such as beryllium, rubidium, tin, and thallium. Notably, no lithium anomalies were found in lateritic zones, although tin anomalies and occurrences of quartz and tourmaline suggest pegmatite extensions beneath the laterite cover.
Mapping revealed numerous pegmatite bodies, some up to 10 metres wide, and large quartz boulders interpreted as quartz cores of pegmatites. These pegmatites cross-cut the host G3 granite and align with a strong northeast to east-northeast regional structural trend, consistent with the orientation of known lithium deposits in the region.
Drilling Program and Next Steps
Gold Mountain has designed 14 drill holes to test the highest priority lithium targets identified from the soil sampling and mapping. The proposed drilling will cover approximately 1,500 metres and aims to penetrate the lateritic weathering profile, which can be up to 50 metres thick, to access fresh pegmatite mineralisation. The company is currently compiling data to obtain environmental permits required for drilling.
Additional soil sampling is planned for the northwest of the tenement to follow up on previously identified anomalies, alongside continued detailed mapping to refine pegmatite trends. These efforts will help optimize drill targeting and enhance the understanding of the lithium system at depth.
Strategic Positioning in a Growing Lithium District
Gold Mountain’s exploration activities in the Bananal Valley position the company well within a burgeoning lithium province that is attracting increasing attention. The proximity to Latin Resources’ Collina deposit and other major explorers such as Rio Tinto underscores the district’s potential to host significant lithium resources. While the results to date are encouraging, the true scale and grade of mineralisation will only be confirmed through drilling.
The company’s methodical approach, combining geochemical sampling, geological mapping, and targeted drilling, reflects a disciplined exploration strategy aimed at unlocking value in a critical battery metals sector. Investors will be watching closely as Gold Mountain progresses through permitting and into the drilling phase, which will provide the first direct insights into the subsurface lithium potential.
Bottom Line?
Gold Mountain’s upcoming drilling in Brazil could be a pivotal moment in validating its lithium prospects and advancing its position in a competitive market.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the environmental permits be secured on schedule to commence drilling?
- How will the drilling results compare to nearby established lithium deposits?
- What is the potential scale and grade of lithium mineralisation beneath the laterite cover?