Fulcrum Lithium’s Phase 3 drilling at Alkali Flats in Nevada reveals extensive, thick lithium mineralisation with grades exceeding 300ppm across a large area, setting the stage for a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate.
- Phase 3 drilling confirms lithium >300ppm in 18 of 20 holes
- Multiple holes exceed 70m thickness with some over 100m
- Deposit remains open in three directions over 32km²
- Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate to incorporate dense drill data
- Project located near active US lithium mines and developments
Robust Lithium Mineralisation Extends Across Alkali Flats
Fulcrum Lithium Ltd (ASX:FUL) has unveiled the final tranche of assay results from its Phase 3 drilling campaign at the Alkali Flats project in Nevada, confirming thick and consistent lithium mineralisation across a significant footprint. The program, comprising 34 reverse circulation (RC) and 5 diamond core holes, has delineated lithium grades exceeding 300ppm in 18 of 20 holes from the latest batch, with multiple intersections surpassing 70 metres in thickness and some extending beyond 100 metres.
Notably, hole AF3-E13 returned the thickest intercept to date with 147.9 metres at 507ppm lithium, including peak assays up to 1,145ppm. Other standout intercepts include AF3-E25 with 106.7 metres above 300ppm lithium and a high-grade zone of 19.8 metres at 903ppm, and AF3-E18 delivering 74.7 metres at 695ppm lithium. Several holes ended in mineralisation and remain open at depth, suggesting further resource upside.
Increased Drill Density Enhances Confidence Ahead of Resource Estimate
The Phase 3 program has quintupled the drilling density over Alkali Flats, reducing hole spacing from approximately 2,000 metres to 600 metres in the core zone. This tighter spacing significantly improves geological confidence and continuity modelling, underpinning the imminent maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE). The deposit now covers over 32 square kilometres and remains open in three of four directions, highlighting its potential scale.
Quality control measures were reinforced by diamond core holes twinned with RC locations, which confirmed close assay correlation and validated the sampling methodology. Geological modelling is progressing steadily, integrating the comprehensive assay dataset to support a robust resource calculation.
Strategic Location Near Established Lithium Operations
Alkali Flats is strategically positioned in Esmeralda County, Nevada, approximately 15 kilometres south of the Tonopah Flats projects operated by American Battery Technology Company and American Lithium Corporation, and just 10 kilometres east of the Silver Peak mine owned by Albemarle Corporation, the only active lithium mine in the United States. This proximity places Alkali Flats within a proven lithium province with established infrastructure and a mining-friendly regulatory environment.
Fulcrum’s COO Scott Keenan highlighted the significance of the results, noting that the extensive lateral and vertical continuity of mineralisation, combined with the deposit’s openness, bodes well for the upcoming resource estimate. This follows earlier encouraging Phase 2 drilling and geophysical surveys that initially identified the large-scale potential of the deposit.
The company’s recent metallurgical testing has demonstrated promising lithium recovery rates exceeding 90%, which, when combined with the robust drilling data, strengthens the project’s development prospects. The Phase 3 results build on this foundation, moving Fulcrum closer to defining a high-confidence lithium resource in one of the world’s most important lithium jurisdictions.
Next Steps Toward Defining Alkali Flats’ Economic Potential
With the Phase 3 drilling now complete and assay results confirming thick, high-grade lithium mineralisation across an extensive area, Fulcrum is preparing to release its maiden Mineral Resource Estimate. This milestone will be critical in assessing the project’s economic viability and attracting further investment or strategic partnerships.
Further metallurgical test work on Phase 3 core samples is underway to refine processing methods and optimise lithium recovery, complementing the promising early results. The deposit’s openness in multiple directions also suggests that additional drilling could expand the resource base beyond current boundaries.
Investors will be watching how Fulcrum leverages these results amid a competitive lithium market, particularly given the surge in lithium prices and the strategic importance of domestic US lithium supply chains. The upcoming resource estimate and ongoing technical studies will be pivotal in shaping the project’s trajectory.
Fulcrum’s Alkali Flats project continues to attract attention as a potential new source of lithium in the United States, with Phase 3 drilling delivering data density and grade continuity that surpass initial expectations. The company’s next announcements will be critical in translating exploration success into tangible resource metrics and development potential.
These developments follow the company’s earlier thick continuous lithium mineralisation confirmation and build on recent high lithium recovery with low-cost processing test results, signaling a compelling step forward for Alkali Flats.
Bottom Line?
Fulcrum’s Phase 3 drilling delivers the thick, high-grade lithium data needed to underpin a maiden resource estimate, but the project’s ultimate value hinges on forthcoming resource metrics and metallurgical outcomes.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the upcoming maiden Mineral Resource Estimate quantify the deposit’s scale and grade continuity?
- What metallurgical challenges or opportunities might emerge from Phase 3 core sample testing?
- Could further drilling extend the deposit’s open boundaries and materially increase resource size?