London-listed critical metal-focused exploration and development company Aterian expects to start drilling at the HCK project, in Rwanda, in September.

The project is a joint venture with diversified miner Rio Tinto.

During the first quarter of this year, 2 274 auger soil samples were collected from anomalous areas identified in an earlier, coarser-spaced geochemical sampling programme.

The company says samples were shipped to ALS, in Ireland, for multi-element analysis. The results from this work have allowed for an interpretation of relevant geochemical ratios that determine the key pathfinder elements that vector into areas of potential subsurface pegmatite occurrences.

"Completing the ground soil sampling programme marks an exciting step forward in our partnership with Rio Tinto. An extension of the comprehensive ground soil sampling programme was completed in the first quarter and covered key target zones within the HCK project area,” says Aterian chairperson Charles Bray.

He points out that the survey has identified several anomalies consistent with the possible presence of lithium-bearing minerals.

“The initial indications of lithium potential are encouraging and we are eager to continue our exploration activities to fully understand the project's potential. These preliminary results represent a crucial milestone in our ongoing exploration efforts and provide a strong basis and analytical framework for the next phase of exploration, the drill programme.

“We will now focus on conducting drilling to establish the presence, extent and grade of any spodumene-bearing lithium mineralisation. Our goal is to maximise the project's potential and contribute to the global supply of this critical battery metal,” says Bray.

Aterian says drill targeting is under way using the recent geochemistry supported by geological mapping and ground geophysics. Earthwork proposals for drill pads and access have been received and a contractor has been identified.

Initial drilling will focus on the HCK-1 target, with five holes planned, totalling between 1 200 m and 1 500 m, with the objective of evaluating the fresh bedrock potential of the pegmatites to host spodumene.