Wide-Spaced Drilling Leaves Resource Size Uncertain Ahead of Phase II

Maiden Drilling Success at Marble Bar

Kali Metals Limited (ASX – KM1) has delivered encouraging results from its inaugural reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign at the Marble Bar Gold Project in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. The program, comprising 77 shallow holes totaling 1,086 metres, was designed to test a newly identified shallowly-dipping gold system along a cumulative 3-kilometre strike length across four prospects – Sherman, Churchill, Tiger, and Tiger 2.

The drilling confirmed significant gold mineralisation from surface, with standout intercepts including 5 metres at 2.3 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from surface at Sherman, and a peak assay of 6.21 g/t gold at 18 metres depth at Tiger 2. Notably, 60% of the holes returned gold mineralisation of at least 1 metre, underscoring the system’s continuity and potential.

Geological Context and Mineralisation Style

The gold mineralisation is hosted within quartz veins associated with potassic alteration in a granodiorite intrusive unit, known as the Jenkin Granodiorite, intruding into gneissic basement rocks. The presence of sulphide minerals, particularly goethite after pyrite, appears to correlate with higher gold grades. The mineralised zones dip gently north to northeast, with drilling confirming down dip continuity that was previously untested.

These geological insights provide a valuable exploration framework, with potassic alteration thickness and granodiorite presence serving as key indicators for targeting higher-grade zones. The company has also identified additional prospective areas through high-resolution imagery, which will be explored in the next phase.

Looking Ahead – Phase II Drilling and Exploration Plans

Buoyed by the maiden program’s success, Kali Metals is already planning a Phase II drilling campaign scheduled for the end of the March quarter. This next stage will focus on infill drilling to tighten the current wide drill spacing of over 200 metres, testing lateral strike extensions, and further investigating down dip mineralisation continuity along the entire strike length.

Environmental and heritage surveys have been completed to support the upcoming program, with a new Program of Work (PoW) to be submitted shortly. The company also intends to undertake metallurgical testwork and reconnaissance exploration of newly identified targets within the project area.

Implications for Kali Metals and Investors

Managing Director Paul Adams highlighted the encouraging nature of the results, noting the replication of surface sampling grades in drilling and the promising evidence for down dip continuity. With a substantial landholding of over 4,000 square kilometres across gold, lithium, and critical minerals projects, Kali Metals is positioning itself as a significant player in Western Australia’s mineral exploration landscape.

While the current drilling spacing precludes immediate resource estimation, the Phase II program will be critical in defining the scale and grade continuity necessary for future resource classification. Investors will be watching closely for updates on resource delineation and metallurgical characteristics that will influence project economics.