Solis Minerals Ltd (ASX:SLM, TSX-V:SLMN, OTCQB:SLMFF) has kicked off diamond drilling at its 100%-owned Campo Grande Lithium Project in Brazil, targeting a prospective lithium-caesium-tantalum pegmatite system within the Araçuaí Lithium Valley of Minas Gerais.
The initial program comprises five diamond holes for about 1,000 metres and will test a prospective pegmatite corridor over roughly 500 metres.
Drill targets are supported by coincident lithium, caesium, tantalum and beryllium geochemical anomalies, as well as historical auger drilling and surface mapping.
Planned Campo Grande diamond drill-hole collar locations targeting mapped pegmatites and coincident auger, rock-chip and soil geochemical anomalies
Testing mapped pegmatite corridor
Solis said historical work completed by Rio Tinto, combined with its own mapping and geochemical programs, had outlined a continuous lithium corridor extending for around 1 kilometre.
The first phase of drilling will focus on a newly mapped pegmatite swarm comprising three coherent zones of outcrop between planned holes DHCG-001 and DHCG-004, with individual holes planned to depths of up to 200 metres.
Chief executive officer Mitch Thomas said the campaign would test the continuity, geometry and lithium potential of pegmatites below surface.
"The initial programme will test the continuity, geometry and lithium potential of pegmatites beneath surface, beginning in areas where mapped pegmatites coincide with LCT geochemical anomalies."
Campo Grande sits within the Araçuaí Lithium Valley, which hosts established lithium producers and advanced development projects. Solis noted geological and geochemical similarities with Pilbara Minerals' Colina Lithium Project around 100 kilometres to the southwest.
Multiple drill programs underway
The Campo Grande campaign follows completion of seven drill holes at Solis' Mandacaru Lithium Project , located about 18 kilometres away. Assays from Mandacaru are pending and will help determine the scope of follow-up drilling.
In parallel, drilling is continuing at the company's 100%-owned Cinto Copper Project in southern Peru.
The Cinto program comprises about five holes for 2,500 metres targeting a potentially large-scale copper porphyry system, with the first hole testing the down-dip continuation of a mineralised hydrothermal breccia exposed at surface.
Solis has also received all approvals required to commence drilling at its Cucho Copper Project and is assessing the sequencing of that program alongside ongoing work at Cinto and in Brazil.
Araçuaí Lithium Valley in Minas Gerais, Brazil showing tenements held by Sigma Lithium, PLS, Lithium Ionic, Atlas Lithium (NASDAQ:ATLX) and Solis Minerals, over regional geology. Mandacaru and Campo Grande exploration areas highlighted.
