Marquee Resources has completed a targeted field program at its West Spargoville Project, refining geological models of spodumene-bearing pegmatites and identifying misaligned historical drilling. Pending assay results will guide a re-oriented reverse circulation drilling campaign.
- 49 rock-chip samples collected to refine pegmatite geometry
- Structural model reveals northeast-southwest strike, steep northwest dip
- Historical drilling largely oblique to pegmatite orientation
- Laboratory assays pending to inform drill redesign
- Planned ~2,000m RC drilling to test priority targets
Fieldwork updates structural model of lithium targets
Marquee Resources Limited (ASX:MQR) has wrapped up a focused field campaign at its West Spargoville Project in Western Australia's Southern Yilgarn, collecting 49 rock-chip samples from mapped pegmatites and key structural points. This work sharpens the geological understanding of stacked spodumene-bearing pegmatites trending northeast-southwest and dipping steeply northwest across a roughly 1.5 km square target area.
Importantly, the updated structural model exposes a significant mismatch with historical reverse circulation (RC) drilling, which was predominantly oriented eastward. Marquee suggests this oblique drilling likely failed to fully test several lithium-prospective pegmatite trends and surface anomalies, some of which previously returned rock-chip assays above 1% lithium oxide (Li2O), including a standout 3.01% Li2O result reported in 2024.
Historical drilling underwhelms due to orientation mismatch
The company’s Executive Chairman and Managing Director Charles Thomas emphasised that the historical drilling program does not definitively assess the lithium potential at West Spargoville. The refined pegmatite geometry, now interpreted as stacked bodies striking northeast-southwest and dipping steeply northwest, contrasts with the historical RC holes drilled primarily eastward, intersecting the pegmatites at oblique angles.
This orientation discrepancy raises the possibility that significant lithium mineralisation remains undetected beneath the surface. Marquee plans to integrate the pending assay results from the 49 samples into the existing three-dimensional geological model to re-rank pegmatite priorities and redesign the next drilling campaign accordingly.
Pending assays to guide a targeted 2,000m drilling program
All rock-chip samples were submitted to ALS for preparation and multi-element analysis, including lithium and gold assays, with results expected shortly. Following quality assurance and integration into the West Spargoville Project database, Marquee will update its geological and 3D interpretations to better define the pegmatite system’s geometry and continuity.
The company proposes a re-oriented RC drilling program of approximately 2,000 metres, designed to intersect the northeast-southwest striking, steep northwest-dipping pegmatites at more optimal angles. This approach aims to more effectively test the highest-priority lithium targets identified through the refined structural model and surface geochemistry.
West Spargoville’s place in a prolific lithium province
Located in the Widgiemooltha area of the Southern Yilgarn lithium belt, West Spargoville lies within a region hosting major lithium projects including Mt Marion and Bald Hill. Marquee holds 75% of the lithium rights under a joint venture with Mineral Resources Limited (ASX:MIN).
Since acquiring the project in 2020, Marquee has amassed a comprehensive dataset including thousands of auger, aircore, and RC drill holes, as well as detailed geophysical surveys. The 2026 program represents a targeted reassessment rather than first-pass exploration, aiming to reconcile historical surface lithium anomalies with subsurface data under a refined geological framework.
While the pending assay results and follow-up drilling are crucial next steps, the company cautions that there is no assurance these efforts will define economic mineralisation. Nonetheless, the structural insights provide a clear rationale for revisiting and reorienting drilling efforts to better test the lithium potential at West Spargoville.
Bottom Line?
Marquee’s refined geological model and planned re-oriented drilling could unlock overlooked lithium potential, but assay results will be critical to validate this prospect.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the pending assay results confirm the presence of economically viable lithium mineralisation?
- How significantly will the redesigned drilling program improve testing of the pegmatite system compared to historical efforts?
- Could the structural reinterpretation at West Spargoville influence exploration approaches at nearby lithium projects in the Southern Yilgarn?