Mark Creasy-aligned Azure Minerals has received heritage clearance and program of work approval for the next stage of lithium exploration at its Andover battery metals project in the Pilbara.
The approvals make six new lithium exploration targets accessible at Andover – a project 40 per cent owned by Creasy Group – significantly expanding its exploration scope on the ground.
Azure is now mobilising two reverse circulation rigs to site, joining two diamond rigs already in operation.
Azure managing director Tony Rovira said the approvals enabled the next stage of lithium exploration at Andover, which is prospective for spodumene-bearing pegmatites.
Azure has reported lithium oxide hits as high as 4.67 per cent at previously drilled prospects. The company said could now determine the continuity and extent of lithium mineralisation at Andover.
“With the recent approval by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety of the program of work applications we now have in place all the environmental and heritage approvals required for the next stage of drilling at Andover,” Mr Rovira said.
“With two diamond core rigs already operating on site and two reverse circulation drill rigs being mobilised, this is an exciting phase of our lithium-focused drilling campaign.”
The surveys were completed by Azure and the Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation, which represents the Native Title holders of the Ngarluma people, over the course of seven days.
The two parties have now completed six heritage clearance surveys at Andover. More are scheduled for the second half of the year.
Andover, near Karratha, is also prospective for nickel, copper and cobalt sulphides.
A JORC compliant mineral resource of 6 million tonnes at 1.11 per cent nickel, 0.47 per cent copper and 0.05 per cent copper was defined at the project last year, before a pivot to focus on lithium potential.
In March, Chilean headquartered lithium company Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) revealed it had taken a 19.99 per cent stake in Azure, a move framed by Azure as a strong endorsement of Andover’s lithium potential in a release to the ASX.
Mr Creasy is a prominent WA prospector who was the largest shareholder in Sirius Resources prior to its takeover by Independence Group in 2016. Creasy Group is his privately held resources company.
Azure shares fell slightly in morning trade today, but are up more than five per cent over the past five days.