Ok, my take is as follows:
1. Saprolite clay - nothing more to add to these posts (i.e the outcomes of weathering and scroll to the middle and open the link -Post #:
26024193 ) so one positive is they have drilled to 167 metres (would have preferred more). Weathering to 40 metres is what I expected, and this is what I have seen in a number of deposits around weathering, including AVZ . The saprolite appears to be weathered granite/pegamatite (and possibly Li but must be proven as this hole appears to be drilled at the outskirts of previous activity (trenching)). Refer point 2 embedded post below as well.
The next hole been drilled (TD002) is where they got some of their best grab samples by the looks of it.
2. Granite with pegmatite stringers - so far I think they have really hit a fissue system. I talked about this the other day - Post #:
32510965 - so need to find main pegmatite ore body and where that is is going to be is the issue. Assays will be interesting for this first hole including the width of the fissues. Note, in this embedded post I talked about weathering to 40 metres as well, ironically. Not surprising pegmatites have a close relationship with granites in the development cycle so that is not a concern:
Two quotes:
"
The latest granite phase (900 to 950MA) is assigned to the Katangan cycle and is associated with widespread vein and pegmatite mineralization containing tin, tungsten, tantalum, niobium, lithium and beryllium." From
https://avzminerals.com.au/manono-mine/
"
Most pegmatites have a composition that is similar to granite with abundant quartz, feldspar, and mica. These are sometimes called “granite pegmatites” to indicate their mineralogical composition."
https://geology.com/rocks/pegmatite.shtml
Whilst I posted this on a different stock, the links in this embedded post might provide insights for some here how these pegmatite systems and crystals are formed and what is possibly happening here etc:
Post #:
32170723
3. First drill, assay a key now and understanding where the main pegmatite body could be. Understanding the slope of the pegmatite outcrops I thought would have been the first basis before sinking a drill but time will tell. To be frank, I am just hoping they did their homework first before sinking the first drill, starting with the 'outskirts' before moving in direction they think it is thickening/sloping, but time will tell. The fact they haven't commented on visible Li in the core taken out is a concern at this stage given in other plays commentary to that effect at times is stated. The obvious point is those expecting an AVZ type drill outcome will be disappointed with this first drill result as I suspect it is a fissue system they have hit but time will tell to whether they get closer to the main ore body to test width and depth in this drill campaign.
Waiting game now I guess but assay will be interesting because thickness will be the interesting part here of each 'fissue/branch' plus whether they are also testing for other minerals such as tin/tantulum here (which you would test for if find lithium).
Not surprised at the market response either given an air of atmosphere has been partially created that this would be huge, so now the test is whether this is on par with say BGS/PLS for example (so drilling the key and time will tell). Obviously things can change with the next drill and/or when assays come out. So time will tell and fingers crossed.
All IMO