Wildcat Resources has announced a promising new lithium discovery at Bolt Cutter Central near its Tabba Tabba project in Western Australia, with maiden drilling revealing multiple high-grade pegmatite intercepts open in all directions.
- Maiden drilling at Bolt Cutter Central returns up to 20m @ 1.7% Li2O
- Discovery located 10km west of Wildcat’s 74.1Mt Tabba Tabba lithium resource
- Multiple stacked pegmatite swarms identified, open along strike and at depth
- Pending assays for nine drill holes and ongoing heritage survey underway
- Wildcat holds $55.1 million cash to fund follow-up exploration
A New Lithium Frontier Emerges
Wildcat Resources Limited (ASX – WC8) has revealed a significant greenfield lithium discovery at its Bolt Cutter Central prospect, situated just 10 kilometres west of the company’s flagship Tabba Tabba Lithium-Tantalum Project in Western Australia’s prolific Pilbara region. The maiden reverse circulation drilling program has intercepted multiple lithium-bearing pegmatite swarms, with standout results including a 20-metre intercept grading 1.7% lithium oxide (Li2O).
Drilling Highlights and Geological Context
The initial 16-hole reconnaissance drill campaign targeted a large lithium-in-soils anomaly spanning approximately 5 kilometres. Every hole intersected pegmatite, confirming the presence of stacked, repeating pegmatite systems. The most significant mineralised zones were found within the so-called “Harry” pegmatite swarm, which extends at least 270 metres along strike and 330 metres down dip, remaining open in all directions. Assays from this swarm include multiple intercepts above 1.2% Li2O, with some zones exhibiting spodumene mineralisation indicated by characteristic salmon-orange fluorescence under ultraviolet light.
In addition to Harry, the “Hermione” pegmatite swarm, located 1.5 kilometres away, has been confirmed by drilling to host stacked pegmatites, with assay results pending. The discovery of multiple pegmatite trends within the anomaly footprint suggests the potential for further lithium mineralisation yet to be tested.
Strategic Significance and Next Steps
Wildcat’s geology manager, Torrin Rowe, emphasised the systematic exploration approach that has led to this discovery, noting the open-ended nature of the pegmatite swarms and the presence of several untested trends. The company is advancing an expanded heritage survey to facilitate follow-up drilling, including two planned diamond drill holes to better understand the geological setting and confirm the vertical extent of mineralisation.
With $55.1 million in cash reserves as of June 30, 2025, Wildcat is well-positioned to accelerate exploration activities. The Bolt Cutter Central discovery complements the nearby Tabba Tabba Project, which hosts a substantial lithium resource of 74.1 million tonnes at 1.0% Li2O and a probable ore reserve of 46.3 million tonnes at 0.99% Li2O, underscoring the company’s growing footprint in a globally strategic lithium province.
Broader Market Implications
This new discovery arrives amid increasing global demand for lithium, driven by the electric vehicle and battery storage sectors. Wildcat’s expanding resource base in the Pilbara could enhance its standing among Australian lithium explorers, potentially attracting further investment and strategic partnerships. However, the early-stage nature of the Bolt Cutter Central discovery means that further drilling and metallurgical studies are required to define the scale, grade continuity, and economic viability of the mineralisation.
Bottom Line?
Bolt Cutter Central’s open-ended lithium swarms could redefine Wildcat’s growth trajectory, next assays and drilling will be pivotal.
Questions in the middle?
- How will pending assay results from the Hermione swarm influence the overall resource potential?
- What are the metallurgical characteristics of the lithium mineralisation at Bolt Cutter Central?
- How might this discovery impact Wildcat’s development timeline and capital allocation for Tabba Tabba?