Integrated Hard-Rock Lithium Exploration: Drone and Ground Geophysics, Laboratory Analysis and AI

Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia

An ongoing exploration programme for lithium-bearing pegmatites that goes beyond anomaly picking to an understanding of the rocks themselves. TDS flew drone magnetic and active electromagnetic surveys over the prospect and ran ground DC resistivity, induced polarisation and detailed magnetic surveys with a base station, so that several depths and resolutions are covered. Drill-core plugs were characterised in the laboratory (XRF and XRD, time-domain and spectral induced polarisation) to tie mineral composition and geochemistry to measurable physical properties. All geophysical, laboratory, geological and borehole data are integrated into an AI-assisted 3D subsurface model in which machine learning identifies the relationships between the datasets.

Outcome: a better-constrained model of the geometry, continuity and extent of the lithium-bearing bodies, sharper drill targeting, an optimised drilling programme and less money spent on unnecessary holes.