Drill Rig Secured For Whistlejacket Programme
Bradda Head Lithium Ltd has secured a drilling contractor to commence its 2026 infill exploration drilling campaign at the Whistlejacket Project in Arizona, with drilling expected to begin by the end of July. The program will involve up to 20 diamond drill holes totaling approximately 3,657.6 meters, designed to infill and expand known lithium mineralization, including offsetting previous intercepts such as 0.97% Li₂O over 10.74m. Shallow core holes will also target recently sampled pegmatites with grades up to 3.03% Li₂O. All expenditures are applicable to the option agreement with KEX, and the drilling is intended to support the preparation of an initial NI 43-101 technical report and a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate by the end of 2027.
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Bradda Head Lithium Ltd (AIM: BHL), the North America-focused lithium development company, is pleased to announce that it has secured an Arizona licensed drilling contractor to commence the 2026 infill exploration drilling campaign at its Whistlejacket ("WJ") Project in Arizona.
Highlights:
| • | The Drill rig is anticipated to mobilize by the end of July 2026 to WJ and immediately commence drilling; |
| • | Drill sites and any access routes will be prepared in advance of the rig arrival, however, BHL will also be utilizing drill sites previously prepared by Kennecott Exploration Co. ("KEX"), that had not been previously reclaimed; |
| • | Bradda Head plans to drill up to 20 diamond drill holes, totaling approximately 3,657.6 meters (12,000 ft); |
| • | All authorized expenditures from the drilling programme are applicable to the requirements of the Option Agreement with KEX; |
| • | Planned drill holes are designed to infill and expand known lithium mineralization identified by KEX in their 2023 drilling programme, specifically, offsetting holes WSTL-008, -009, and 006, which cut @ 0.97% Li 2 O over 10.74m, 1.31% Li 2 O over 13.56m, and 0.79% Li 2 O over 9.75m respectively (see PR 04/07/2026); |
| • | Several shallow core holes will also target pegmatites recently sampled by BHL that contain 3.03%, 2.04%, and 2.07% Li 2 O (See PR 06/15/2026 for surface sample details) or well mineralized outcrops previously sampled by KEX; |
| • | BHL has secured all drilling permits from the Arizona State Land Department ("ASLD"); |
| • | The Phase 3 drilling programme has been specifically designed to support the preparation of the project's initial NI 43-101 technical report and, subject to continued exploration success, the delivery of a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") by the end of 2027; |
| • | Earthwork contractors have been secured and work is scheduled to commence next week, with equipment being mobilized to upgrade access roads and construct the drill pads required for the programme; |
| • | Following the Company's successful fundraise, Bradda is well positioned to advance its 2026 exploration programmes at Whistlejacket and San Domingo, including the commencement of planned drilling activities (see PR dated 17 July 2026 and 28 July 2026). |
Ian Stalker, Executive Chair, commented:
"This is another major milestone for Bradda Head as we continue to advance Whistlejacket toward its maiden Mineral Resource Estimate. With permits in place, infrastructure preparations underway, and an experienced exploration team ready to mobilize, we are ready to commence drilling by the end of July. This programme is designed to improve our understanding of the scale and continuity of the mineralized system at Whistlejacket and represents another important step in unlocking the value of a highly prospective hard-rock lithium project in the United States. Following our recent successful fundraise, we are well positioned to move quickly and advance our exploration programmes at both Whistlejacket and San Domingo. "
Qualified Person (Bradda Head)
For further information please visit the Company's website: www.braddaheadltd.com.
| +44 1624 639 396 | +44 20 7628 3396 | +44 207 186 9927 | + 44 20 7920 3150 braddahead@tavistock.co.uk |
About Bradda Head Lithium Ltd.
The San Domingo Project comprises 248 claims covering approximately 1850 acres, located primarily on BLM land, along with two Arizona State Land Department claims. To date, 108 drill holes totaling 13,089 m of core drilling have been completed across three drilling campaigns. The project area hosts more than 1,000 mapped pegmatites, of which 18 have been identified as priority targets, with six tested by drilling. The area currently holds two active Notices of Intent (NOI) permits, and updated drilling plans are in place that can be implemented once all required permits for the pegmatite targets are secured. The objective of the next exploration phase is to further delineate the most prospective areas and advance them toward potential Mineral Resource Estimation (MRE) and NI 43-101 compliant reporting.
The Whistlejacket Project comprises nine Arizona State Land Department Mineral Exploration Permits (MEPs), covering a total of 2,010.7 hectares. The project is subject to a definitive Option to Joint Venture agreement with Kennecott Exploration Company (KEX) and targets spodumene-bearing pegmatites. KEX previous Exploration includes 19 drilled diamond drill holes totaling 4,188 meters, with all holes intersecting lithium mineralization. Notable results include 51.0 meters at 1.11% Li₂O in hole WSTL0009 and 19.47 meters at 1.66% Li₂O in hole WSTL0008 (https://www.londonstockexchange.com/news-article/BHL/whistlejacket-review-of-previous-results/17534407). In addition, the project has benefited from extensive surface mapping, sampling, airborne geophysics, and the acquisition of high-resolution aerial imagery, significantly enhancing the geological understanding and overall value of the asset.
Nominated Adviser Statement
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