Public Company News

Pilbara Minerals have snapped up the 300-person Roy Hill Rail Camp in a deal that symbolises the emergence of Lithium as the new iron ore of the Pilbara. The camp is surplus to Roy Hill’s needs and located only 90km south of the Pilgangoora Lithium project which means capital cost savings for Pilbara Minerals and a terrific boost to plans to fast-track development.

Lithium Australia’s goal of a new paradigm in Lithium extraction is a step closer with a successful second stage of trials of their low-cost Sileach technology. The trial, conducted by the Federal Government’s ANSTO Minerals, produced 99% pure lithium carbonate that is just one small step away from being offtake ready for Lithium battery manufacturers.

Blackham Resources’ extraordinary run of exploration success has continued, with the latest round of drilling revealing significant extensions of mineralisation at the Matilda mine near Wiluna. Another resource upgrade seems likely, just four months after a previous upgrade with the company looking to quickly convert any new resources into valuable reserves.

There appears to be no end to the giant Lithium resource at Neometals' Mt Marion project near Coolgardie with a 30% upgrade announced this week on top of a 160% boost just three months ago. The latest upgrade follows a large drilling program between July and September that returned some spectacular intercepts from a high-grade feeder zone.

Lithium Australia have shown an uncanny knack for unearthing hot lithium properties, with initial samples from their new Lake Johnston project assaying almost 4% Lithium. The company swooped on the project just a week ago in a savvy mineral rights swap deal and they have wasted no time proving that Lake Johnston has exceptional potential for a major Lithium discovery.

Legend Mining and the Creasy Group have moved into the next phase of their hunt for a Nova-Bollinger lookalike by kicking off an 80-hole aircore drilling program at the Rockford project in the Fraser Range. The 5,000-metre drill program follows news a fortnight ago of highly encouraging assay results from two diamond drill holes at the project. 

The upcoming ASX float of Lithium Australia’s Canadian partner, MetalsTech, on the ASX, is looking really interesting for Lithium Australia after they signed a strategic partnership agreement this week with the high grade Lithium explorer. MetalsTech recently returned amazing direct shipping grade surface samples in Canada that were grading up to 7% Lithium. 

There is something quite special about turning an idea into reality AND making some money out of it – and its even sweeter when you manage to defy your critics in the process. Blackham Resources have certainly defied their critics by achieving their first gold pour this week at the Matilda project.

Lithium Australia have swooped on hot new Lithium exploration ground in the Lake Johnston area east of Perth and close to the Earl Grey project that is creating so much excitement for investors. The company has dramatically expanded its footprint around Lake Johnston in an exploration rights swap with Lefroy Exploration in one of the hottest emerging Lithium precincts. 

ASX-listed Sky and Space Global is running ahead of schedule with the assembly of its three demonstration "nano-satellites" as it progresses the launch of its potentially game-changing satellite based communications network. The company says construction of the first three units is due for completion in December ahead of the planned Q2 2017 launch.

The FIRB has cleared a $30m Chinese investment in Northern Minerals, clearing the way for the rapid development of the company’s heavy rare earths project at Browns Range in WA. Northern Minerals have already banked $3m and will bank another $9m from Huatai Mining next week with two more $9m payments to follow.

Lithium Australia is in the final approval stage for a maiden drill program in Mexico, adjacent to a world-class project that has already secured celebrated electric car maker Tesla as an off-take partner. It follows an announcement earlier in the week of an additional Lithium discovery at Electra from surface sampling that returned ore grade assays.