Red Mountain Lithium Project’s Exploration Target Soars to 18.6Mt LCE
Venari Minerals has revised its Exploration Target for the Red Mountain Lithium Project in Nevada, revealing a potential lithium resource up to 18.6 million tonnes of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent. The company plans extensive drilling and sampling in 2026 to expand and upgrade this promising resource.
- Revised JORC-compliant Exploration Target of 2,020–2,690Mt at 1,000–1,300ppm lithium
- Potential contained lithium of 10.7–18.6Mt Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE)
- 2026 exploration includes drilling four target areas and rock chip sampling six others
- Red Mountain Extension claims currently restricted from drilling pending Congressional approval
- Strong infrastructure and positive metallurgical test results support project viability
Significant Upside at Red Mountain
Venari Minerals NL (ASX, VMS) has announced a substantial revision to the Exploration Target for its wholly owned Red Mountain Lithium Project in Nevada, USA. Following the maiden Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 500 million tonnes at 1,139ppm lithium, the company now estimates an Exploration Target ranging from 2,020 to 2,690 million tonnes at grades between 1,000 and 1,300ppm lithium. This translates to a potential lithium content of 10.7 to 18.6 million tonnes of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE), underscoring the project's significant scale and upside potential.
Exploration Strategy and Targets
The revised Exploration Target encompasses ten discrete prospective areas across the Red Mountain and Red Mountain Extension claim blocks. Venari plans a systematic exploration campaign in 2026, including drilling four target areas within the Red Mountain claim block and conducting rock chip sampling in six others. The company aims to upgrade part of the existing resource from the Inferred to the higher-confidence Indicated category and to expand the resource base through extensional drilling.
However, exploration on the Red Mountain Extension claims faces regulatory hurdles. These claims lie within a Wilderness Study Area where ground-disturbing activities like drilling are currently prohibited. A draft Nye County Public Lands Bill, pending Congressional approval, proposes reclassification of this land for multiple uses, including exploration. Venari supports this bill and plans to accelerate exploration activities on the Extension claims once permitted.
Project Advantages and Metallurgical Insights
The Red Mountain Project benefits from excellent infrastructure, situated near major transport routes and high-voltage power lines, with secured water rights enhancing its development prospects. Metallurgical test work has demonstrated high lithium leachability rates of up to 98%, alongside beneficiation processes that could upgrade the mineralisation significantly. These factors collectively enhance the project's economic potential and attractiveness to investors.
Context Within the Lithium Sector
The Red Mountain Project sits within a region known for substantial lithium deposits, comparable to other major projects such as Lithium Americas’ Thacker Pass and American Battery Technology Corporation’s Tonopah Flats. The Trump Administration’s prioritisation of domestic critical metals projects adds a favourable policy backdrop, potentially expediting permitting and development timelines for Venari.
Looking Ahead
Venari is preparing drill-hole designs for its 2026 campaign, targeting both resource upgrade and exploration of new mineralised zones. The company’s CEO, Matthew Healy, emphasised the excitement around unlocking further value from the Red Mountain discovery and the strategic importance of advancing domestic lithium projects in the US. As drilling progresses, market participants will be keenly watching for results that could materially enhance the project’s resource profile and development prospects.
Bottom Line?
Venari’s ambitious exploration plans and regulatory developments will be pivotal in defining Red Mountain’s future as a major lithium supplier.
Questions in the middle?
- Will Congressional approval for the Nye County Public Lands Bill unlock drilling on the Red Mountain Extension claims?
- How quickly can Venari upgrade the resource classification from Inferred to Indicated with the upcoming drilling?
- What impact will metallurgical test results have on the project’s economic feasibility and investor confidence?
