Savana announced that the 2023/24 drilling programme at the Barroso Lithium Project is now underway.
The two phase drilling programme encapsulates all the resource, reserve, hydrogeological (water bores) and geotechnical related drilling required for the Project’s Definite Feasibility Study (‘DFS’)
The first phase of the programme is expected to take approximately 2 months, with 60 holes to be drilled from 49 drill pads, totalling approximately 3,235m
Phase 2 of the programme will be further defined following the receipt and analysis of the results of the first phase of work, but is expected to take around 6 months and include c. 10,200m of drilling from approximately 166 holes located on 75 drill pads
Data from the programme will be used to upgrade significant portions of the 21.4Mt of Indicated and Inferred resources, which feature in the Project’s overall existing 28Mt at 1.05% Li2O JORC (2012) Compliant spodumene resource
The upgraded resources will then provide the basis for the Project’s first JORC reserve estimate
Savannah expects to complete the DFS in the second half of 2024 and will provide regular news flow from its DFS-related field programme, including assay results from the drilling, over the coming months.
Savannah’s Chief Executive Officer, Emanuel Proença said: “We are entering a busy and exciting period for Savannah as we progress the Barroso Lithium Project towards development and I was pleased to be with the Project team in the Boticas Municipality as we started our 2023/24 drilling programme. The drilling is a critical part of the work required to allow Savannah to complete the Definitive Feasibility Study on the Project, so the beginning of the programme is a key milestone for the Company.”
“In parallel with our efforts to restart drilling, we have also been progressing with other aspects of the DFS including starting work on the RECAPE phase of the environmental licencing process after the appointment of key contractors over the summer.”
“Away from the work on the ground, we are now reinforcing our engagement with other key local and national stakeholders including the relevant government ministries and agencies. We are also maintaining our efforts on the plan to identify commercial partners for the Project who are willing to assist with the financing of the Project’s construction and bring complementary skills or additional opportunities to a long-term partnership with Savannah.”
