Astute Metals begins key drilling at Red Mountain Nevada, targeting maiden lithium resource by 2025 to support U.S. electrification demand.
Astute Metals is advancing preparations for what it calls an “important” phase at its Red Mountain Lithium Project in central-eastern Nevada, United States. The company is gearing up to commence a reverse circulation (RC) drilling program as part of its broader strategy to deliver a maiden resource estimate for the project. This significant step marks a critical milestone for Astute in its efforts to establish Red Mountain as a key player in the U.S. lithium supply chain.
The planned drilling campaign will involve a total of 16 drill holes, amounting to approximately 3,680 meters of exploration. Scheduled to begin next month, the program is expected to run until late 2025, when Astute anticipates announcing its maiden mineral resource estimate. The primary focus will be on infill drilling in the northern sector of Red Mountain, although multiple central project lenses have also been targeted. These areas will be tested for mineralisation up to 200 meters below surface, while the southern and western zones will be retained for future exploration and potential expansion opportunities.
With a current market capitalisation of $10.66 million, Astute Metals is positioning Red Mountain as a cornerstone of its lithium exploration portfolio. The company’s chairman, Tony Leibowitz, expressed strong optimism about the project’s potential, noting that the drilling program aims not only to expand the known mineralisation footprint but also to underpin a robust maiden resource. “Red Mountain is shaping up as a transformational opportunity,” Leibowitz stated. “We believe it has the potential to become one of the highest-grade lithium projects in the U.S., creating the foundation for a major value uplift for shareholders.”
To move the project forward, Astute will shortly submit a notice of intent to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to secure the necessary permitting approvals. Drill contractor Major Drilling has been engaged for the program, with mobilization plans already in motion. The contractor is expected to arrive in the U.S. with an RC drill rig in the coming three weeks, initially conducting an eight to 14-day drilling program at Astute’s Needles Gold Project. Following completion, the rig will transition directly to Red Mountain to commence operations there.
Geologically, the Red Mountain Project sits within mapped tertiary lake sedimentary rocks, locally referred to as the Horse Camp Formation, a formation known to be prospective for lithium mineralisation. This geological setting provides a strong basis for Astute’s confidence in the project’s resource potential.
Astute Metals remains focused on building a diversified portfolio of projects targeting critical metals essential for electrification and the ongoing global energy transition. The Red Mountain Project, in particular, could play a pivotal role in supporting the growing demand for lithium in the United States as the push toward clean energy accelerates.
