Kingsland Minerals (ASX:KNG) is prepping its Leliyn graphite project in the Northern Territory for a maiden resource in the first quarter of 2024 from an established exploration target of 200-250Mt grading 8% to 11% total graphitic carbon (TGC).
The 5km target sits within 20km of graphitic schist, which co-hosts significant levels of gallium, another critical metal used in semiconductors and electronic equipment.
Bonanza hits such as 206m grading 10% graphite and 209m at 7.4% TGC over 5km of strike length of the graphitic shist keep trickling in as the drilling program draws to a close.
KNG says it has received its ‘thickest intersection to date’ at Leliyn with the return of 285m at 6.1% TGC, including 79m at 10.5% TGC.
KNG managing director Richard Maddocks says the results show the continuing pattern of ‘very wide and high-grade intersections’ seen throughout the drilling program which comprised 53 RC holes for 5,400m and 11 diamond holes for 2,400m.
“The results clearly demonstrate that Leliyn is a world-class graphite prospect, with several high-grade drilling intersections more than 200m in length,” he says.
“With metallurgical test-work and mineral resource estimation now progressing, we are looking forward to an exciting few months.
“The growing demand for graphite and incoming graphite export controls from China are all contributing to an outstanding future for the Leliyn Project in the Northern Territory.”
The recently received drilling results are from holes drilled on the north-western side of the target area and confirm the continuity of wide, high grade graphitic schist in this area, KNG says.
There are a few gaps in the drilling due to access issues (stock dams) but planning has commenced to drill these areas next year after the wet season.
Importantly, KNG says drilling results have confirmed the tonnage and grade potential as outlined in the Exploration Target.
Metallurgical test work has commenced, and maiden resource estimation work is progressing.
