Lithium Power International Limited (LPI) has announced it has begun drilling at its East Kirup lithium potential, which is part of its Greenbushes Lithium Project in Western Australia.
East Kirup is located 20 kilometres northwest of Greenbushes, Australia’s largest lithium mine, which Talison Lithium runs.
In a statement, LPI said its first drilling program in the Greenbushes region, specifically the East Kirup lithium opportunity, is being carried out in compliance with an authorised Conservation Management Plan (CMP), which is consistent with Western Lithium’s sustainable exploration and development standards. It is also necessary to operate in dry conditions to limit the spread of phytophthora dieback and to minimise the damage to native trees.
LPI is now working with two drilling contractors who have completed work in forested areas under stringent environmental restrictions. The rigs in use feature a modest footprint and above-ground sumps with solid removal technology to reduce water consumption.
The program calls for 960 metres of reverse circulation drilling and 400 metres of HQ core-sized diamond drilling. Because the area has never been drilled, the program’s aims are broad, intending to characterise the water table, water quality and flow rates, as well as stratigraphy and geochemical anomalies along the Donnybrook Shear Zone, which has previously been established by laterite and soil sampling.
LPI has completed extensive two-season flora and fauna surveys on a defined region of the East Kirup potential, with all planned drill holes positioned on existing routes with enough cleared space to facilitate drilling without further clearance.
LPI Executive Director Andre Phillips said the results of this drilling campaign, combined with previously conducted environmental surveys, will be used to prepare a CMP to enable drilling on new lines, kicking up phase three.
“While the core focus for LPI in H2 2022 was the MSB consolidation in Chile, throughout this time the Western Lithium team was expanding and diligently working to add value to the projects. Final approvals were also granted to commence this inaugural drilling program in the Greenbushes area,” Phillips stated.
Phillips added, “The project area is large, requiring careful analysis to identify the selected drilling targets. The intention is to hit the ground running in 2023, and we are pleased that the commencement of the program is so early in the year.”
 has announced it has begun drilling at its East Kirup lithium potential, which is part of its Greenbushes Lithium Project in Western Australia.){kind=link}