en.Wedoany.com Reported - Pursuit Minerals (ASX:PUR) has commenced drilling tests on a large conductive system identified within the Mito mining concession at the Rio Grande Sur lithium project in Argentina, following the reprocessing of Controlled Source Audio-Frequency Magnetotelluric (CSAMT) data. Drill hole DDH-3 will target the highest confidence portion of this conductive body.
The conductive system is laterally continuous, extending from approximately 250 meters depth to over 1 kilometer, and is interpreted as a basin-scale fluid-bearing brine system with potential for lithium brine exploration. Pursuit Minerals stated that this drilling aims to support further growth of the recently upgraded resource. The current resource at the Rio Grande Sur project stands at 1.26 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) at a grade of 424 mg/L lithium. Of this, approximately 705,000 tonnes of LCE (at 443 mg/L lithium) are classified as indicated, with the remaining 559,000 tonnes of LCE (at 405 mg/L lithium) classified as inferred.
Managing Director Aaron Revelle stated that the commencement of DDH-3 marks a significant milestone as the company begins testing one of the highest-quality exploration targets identified at the Rio Grande Sur project. He noted that advanced CSAMT reprocessing has transformed the company's understanding of the Mito concession, defining a large, continuous conductivity system extending from approximately 250 meters to over 1 kilometer depth. This is not an isolated anomaly but a basin-scale geological feature showing significant continuity across multiple survey lines.
The current drilling program at Rio Grande Sur is part of the company's shift in focus to the next growth phase following the completion of a pre-feasibility study and recent resource upgrade. The reprocessed CSAMT data has extended the reliable interpretation range from approximately 250 meters to over 1 kilometer below the surface, outlining the conductive target currently being drilled. Results from DDH-3 are expected to be used to refine geological and hydrogeological models, including basin structure, aquifer continuity, permeability, and lithium distribution. Upon completion of this drill hole, Pursuit Minerals plans to move the rig to the recently acquired Demasía Rio Grande I mining concession to test extensions of the same conductive system. Environmental declarations for Rio Grande I and Demasía Rio Grande I are expected to be submitted in the coming weeks.
The company is also conducting a technical addendum to its 5,000 tonnes per annum lithium carbonate pre-feasibility study to evaluate a lithium chloride development pathway and its existing strategy. Development work at Rio Grande Sur continues to advance, including the relocation of a pilot plant and construction of evaporation ponds. Additionally, drilling at the Sascha Marcelina gold project is expected to commence in September. Relocating the pilot plant to the Sal Rio 02 mining concession will enable continuous operation under site conditions to optimize processes, validate design assumptions, and reduce development risks.
