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Lithium mining looks to continue to grow in the north.
Australian-based mining company, Green Technology Metals, has released an update on their Root Project lithium deposit in the Sioux Lookout, Slate Falls First Nation and Root Lake area.
The company says after their first strike on a 1.5 km section of the project, called the McCombe deposit, they’ve found significant potential for further mineral resource growth and further drilling is expected this year.
“This is just the beginning for the Root Project and we are very pleased with the outcome of our maiden Mineral Resource Estimate at Root incorporating just 5 months exploration at our McCombe deposit with further extension potential,” explains CEO Luke Cox.
“GT1 has now commenced drilling at two additional target areas, Morrison and Root Bay, which have both continued to intercept significant spodumene mineralization. We remain focused on delivering further high-grade resource growth over 2023.”
Drilling on the McCombe project began in 2022, totaling 89 holes. But the company notes there’s a large area surrounding the area that remains unexplored and ‘highly prospective’ for new target areas.
This comes after the first three holes in the Root Bay project area found multiple lithium-bearing deposits over a six kilometer ridge in March, which the company also considers to be highly prospective.
The Root Bay project under Green Technology Metals borders Evolution Mining’s Greenstone land package.
Elsewhere in the northwest, Avalon Advanced Materials is working to restart a small-scale lithium plant in the Kenora area this fall after two decades of exploration work.
The ‘Big Whopper’ deposit is expected to produce high purity concentrates of petalite to sell to glass-ceramics manufacturers, and work is underway with Moncrief Construction and Wabaseemoong Independent Nation on the mine’s roadway and preparation of the site.
Avalon notes they’re also working to create a lithium battery materials refinery in Thunder Bay, with the acquisition of a suitable property expected to be completed in September.