Astute Metals Maps New High-Grade Lithium Zone at Red Mountain

Geological Breakthrough at Red Mountain

Astute Metals NL (ASX: ASE) has announced a significant advancement in its Red Mountain Lithium Project in Nevada, USA, following detailed geological mapping and rock chip sampling. Led by consulting expert Professor Phillip Gans of the University of California Santa Barbara, the mapping has identified two key lithium-bearing clay-rich rock units, notably a newly recognized 'Unit J' with lithium grades reaching up to 2,100ppm.

This discovery is particularly noteworthy as Unit J, a claystone and siltstone dominated lithology, had not been previously sampled despite its extensive presence in the western part of the project area. The recent campaign collected 38 samples over an 800 by 500 meter area, with 13 samples exceeding 1,000ppm lithium, underscoring the unit’s high-grade potential and exploration upside.

Strategic Geological Insights

Professor Gans’ comprehensive mapping delineated 18 distinct chronostratigraphic units within the Horse Camp Formation, the sedimentary basin hosting the lithium mineralisation. Among these, Unit O, characterized by silt and sandstone with clay-rich horizons, extends continuously for approximately 7.8 kilometers through the project. This unit has been intersected in 12 of the 13 drill holes to date, each confirming strong lithium mineralisation, making it a cornerstone for the upcoming Exploration Target.

The enhanced geological framework not only highlights the priority of Units J and O for future drilling but also allows Astute Metals to refine drill targeting strategies. The integration of over 700 strike and dip measurements provides a robust understanding of rock orientations, enabling optimized drill designs to effectively target lithium-bearing horizons.

Implications for Project Development

The Red Mountain Project, staked in August 2023, sits within a prolific lithium province in Nevada, adjacent to major lithium operations such as Lithium Americas’ Thacker Pass and American Lithium’s TLC Lithium Project. Astute’s surface sampling campaigns have already demonstrated widespread lithium anomalism, with some rock chip assays reaching exceptional grades of up to 4,150ppm lithium.

With the new geological insights and rock chip results, Astute Metals is progressing towards establishing a JORC-compliant Exploration Target. This milestone will inform the next phase of diamond drilling planned for the 2025 field season, advancing the project towards a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate anticipated in the second half of 2025.

Expert Endorsement and Forward Outlook

Astute Metals’ Chairman, Tony Leibowitz, emphasized the strategic value of the expert-led mapping and sampling program, stating that the identification of the new high-grade Unit J enhances the project’s potential and de-risks the forthcoming drilling campaign. The company’s methodical approach, leveraging academic expertise and comprehensive geological data, positions Red Mountain as a compelling lithium exploration asset in a market increasingly focused on critical battery metals.

As the company integrates these findings with existing drilling and sampling data, investors and analysts will be watching closely for the formal Exploration Target announcement and subsequent drilling results, which will be pivotal in defining the scale and quality of the lithium resource.