IRIS Metals Ltd (ASX:IR1) has started drilling at the Tin Mountain Project in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Concurrent with that, drilling operations have now been completed at the Beecher Project for 2024 with the project advanced towards a maiden mineral resource estimate.
Tin Mountain drill program
The 2024 drill program at the Tin Mountain Project will look to further test both the grade and extensions of the known pegmatite over depth and across strike under cover.
A total of 26 drill holes are planned from six drill pads, for 1,560 metres of diamond core drilling.
In addition to geological logging and laboratory assay of the drill core, IRIS will advance metallurgical and process test work utilising the recovered materials.
Maiden Beecher resource
IRIS wrapped up the diamond drilling program at the Beecher Project, having drilled 56 diamond core holes, totalling 7,775 meters throughout the year.
Read: Iris Metals Hits More High Grades of Lithium at Beecher Project in South Dakota
The company plans to release the remaining laboratory assay results as they become available.
With the drilling phase concluded, IRIS is now focused on developing the initial mineral resource estimate, anticipating its completion by the first quarter of 2025.
Alongside geology and mineral resource work, IRIS continues to advance studies related to mineral processing and conceptual planning for near-term small-scale production of spodumene concentrate from the Beecher Project.
Multiple potential lithium production centres
IRIS Metals President of U.S. Operations, Matt Hartmann, commented: “The team at IRIS Metals is thrilled to commence drilling operations at the Tin Mountain Project while progressing with the initial mineral resource estimate and supplementary studies at the Beecher Project.
“We are moving rapidly to establish multiple potential lithium production centres across the Company’s extensive mineral tenure in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
“We plan to use capital efficiently to support these initiatives and develop mineral resources to feed a central processing facility.”
