Bradda Head Lithium (AIM:BHL) reported surface assays up to 3.03% Li2O at its Whistlejacket spodumene project in Arizona, with 18 of 60 rock samples exceeding 0.59% Li2O and 12 above 1.00% Li2O.
The results confirm widespread spodumene-bearing pegmatites at the surface that will be used to refine drill targeting, the company said.
Bradda Head and Rio Tinto subsidiary Kennecott Exploration Company have formed a Technical Committee with two representatives from each party to review exploration concepts, budgets and technical priorities while Bradda retains operational decision-making.
Sampling highlighted a continuous pegmatite outcrop where seven consecutive samples returned elevated lithium values and where structural measurements suggest the pegmatite may dip opposite a historical drill trace located about 160 m below surface, creating a drill-ready target.
Sixty-two samples (60 rock samples and two controls) were submitted to SGS using sodium peroxide fusion and ICP analysis and the company plans roughly 290 further chip samples plus a channel sampling campaign to refine targets ahead of drilling.
Kennecott's earlier work at Whistlejacket included 19 diamond holes totalling 4,188 m with all holes intersecting lithium, notably 51.0 m at 1.11% Li2O and 19.47 m at 1.66% Li2O.
"These developments position the Company to advance drilling across its spodumene-focused Arizona projects during 2026," Executive Chair Ian Stalker said.
