Australasian Metals Readies November Drilling at Atex Lithium After 120kg Sample Sent
Key Takeaways
- Auger drilling at the Atex Lithium Project is planned to start in November, the first field catalyst after the desktop review.
- A 120kg spodumene-lepidolite pegmatite sample has export permits and is headed to laboratories in South Africa and China, but no metallurgical results are available yet.
- Priority auger targets sit in the northern tenement, where no historical subsurface exploration exists, and are based on rubidium, lithium and niobium soil anomalism.
- Village chiefs at Tounvre and Tindara back the recommencement of exploration, though Nimbiasso representatives have not yet been met.
- Australasian Metals holds only an exclusive option over 75% of Atex, and this update reports no results, grades or resources.
Atex Lithium Project advances towards auger and diamond drilling
Australasian Metals (ASX: A8G) has updated the market on technical due diligence and operational preparations at the Atex Lithium Project in Côte d’Ivoire, over which it holds an “exclusive option to acquire a 75% interest”. No results, grades or resources have been reported in this update.
The announcement, dated 13 October 2026, covers five headline items:
- Historical drilling core reviewed and confirmed in good condition
- A 120kg pegmatite sample collected at Spodumene Hill and dispatched to two laboratories
- Priority auger drilling targets defined, with drilling planned to commence in November
- Diamond drilling preparations at Spodumene Hill progressing
- Support for the recommencement of exploration expressed by community leaders at Tounvre and Tindara
The company is moving from desktop review towards field readiness. For investors, the next milestone to watch is the auger program planned for November.
Dr Qingtao Zeng, Managing Director
“…The review of historical drilling core, collection of metallurgical samples and definition of priority auger targets are important steps in advancing our technical assessment…”
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Core reviewed and 120kg metallurgical sample sent to two laboratories
Historical drill core in good condition
The company inspected diamond drill core from the 2022 campaign undertaken by Atex Mining. It was found in good condition and securely stored in plastic core boxes inside a secure storage facility, and several drill cores were randomly selected for inspection.
Reverse circulation (RC) drill chips from the 2024 campaign were also confirmed as securely stored, with labelled chip trays arranged sequentially and catalogued. A detailed inspection of the RC chips will be undertaken in the coming months.
The company says the inspection provided an initial assessment of the condition and security of the material, which may inform future geological review and interpretation.
Export permits and preliminary test work
A 120kg sample of spodumene-lepidolite pegmatite was collected from outcrop at Spodumene Hill. Export permits were granted by Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Mines and Energy, allowing samples to be dispatched to two laboratories in South Africa and China.
The preliminary test work will assess the metallurgical characteristics of the pegmatite material. No results are available yet.
What is auger drilling, and why does it matter at Atex?
Auger drilling is a low-cost way to sample below the surface. It is generally used to check whether anomalies found in soil geochemistry reflect something beneath.
Metallurgical testing matters for lithium projects because it shows how amenable the rock is to processing. Here, the work is preliminary and will inform the company’s ongoing technical evaluation.
| Priority | Detail | Investor significance |
|---|---|---|
| Target area | Northern portion of the tenement, where no historical subsurface exploration has been undertaken | Ground that has not previously been tested below the surface |
| Indicators | Rubidium (Rb) anomalism in soil, with varying coincident lithium (Li) and niobium (Nb) anomalism; some targets supported by historical, widely spaced airborne radiometric data | Surface signals that the program is designed to test, not confirmed mineralisation |
| Method | Widely spaced auger drilling traverses, with infill drilling where required | Infill is intended to better define anomalous zones and refine targets for potential follow-up diamond drilling |
| Timing | Expected to commence in November | The first field catalyst after the desktop review |
Tindara South, and to a lesser degree Tindara SW, also display coincident pronounced Li and Nb anomalism in soil (refer ASX announcement dated 7 September 2026). The program will assess the significance of the surface geochemical anomalies and help prioritise areas for further exploration.
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Site preparations, community support and next steps
Drilling and camp readiness
Preparatory work at Spodumene Hill will include establishing drill pads and access routes, using local labour. Additional earthmoving equipment is available in nearby Kouto if required.
The existing drilling water supply borehole, last used in 2024, remains capped and was observed to be in good condition during the site visit.
Geological contractors have been identified to provide technical personnel for geological activities and drilling supervision, with mobilisation to camp planned ahead of drilling. The logistics team is refurbishing the camp, restoring water and electricity supplies and preparing office facilities, while several houses in Tounvre have been inspected for potential reuse.
Community engagement
Meetings were held with village chiefs at Tounvre, where the Atex Mining camp is located, and at Tindara. Both expressed support for the recommencement of exploration and highlighted the importance of associated local employment opportunities.
Representatives of Nimbiasso were not able to be met during the site visit. The company’s in-country team will coordinate introductions as soon as possible.
Immediate priorities
The company’s immediate priorities are to:
- Advance preliminary metallurgical test work on samples collected from Spodumene Hill.
- Prepare access lines and commence the planned auger drilling program, expected to begin in November.
- Progress drill pad and access preparations ahead of diamond drilling at Spodumene Hill.
- Complete camp refurbishment and progress technical mobilisation and logistical arrangements.
- Continue engagement with local communities ahead of the planned recommencement of exploration.
Results from metallurgical test work and upcoming exploration activities will inform the company’s ongoing technical assessment of the Atex Lithium Project and help prioritise follow-up exploration.
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