Kali Metals Shifts Focus to Gold at Marble Bar Amid Promising Results

Key Highlights

• Gold-in-soil anomaly extended by 80% to 9.5 km at the Marble Bar Project in WA.
• Initial fieldwork confirms up to 4.0 g/t gold in surface quartz veins.
• Lithium exploration remains a secondary focus, with moderate results at Panther Prospect.
• Kali Metals (ASX: KM1) anticipates drilling campaigns for gold prospects in Q1 2025.

Kali Metals Limited (ASX: KM1) has unveiled promising developments at its 100%-owned Marble Bar Gold-Lithium Project in Western Australia. In its latest exploration update, the company reported an 80% increase in the gold-in-soil anomaly, extending the strike length from 5.1 km to 9.5 km. The findings, based on the assay of 619 previously untested historical soil samples, mark a pivotal shift in focus toward gold exploration while maintaining a secondary interest in lithium.

A Shift to Gold Amid Encouraging Results

The Marble Bar project, spanning 42 km² in the mineral-rich Pilbara region, has become the nucleus of Kali Metals' (ASX: KM1) gold exploration ambitions. Managing Director Paul Adams emphasized, “The cumulative length of the anomaly is exciting at 9.5 km, and so far, only 10% of that length has been mapped in the field.”

Key prospects, Tiger and Sherman, have revealed gold-bearing quartz veins measuring up to 7 meters wide and 120 meters long. Surface assays at Sherman peaked at 4.0 g/t gold, aligning with the soil anomaly's trend. This coherence strengthens confidence in the geological continuity of mineralized zones.

Kali Metals (ASX: KM1) plans to intensify field activities, including ground-truthing the entire anomaly and preparing for an inaugural drilling campaign in Q1 2025.

Lithium Progress: A Modest Outlook

While gold dominates the spotlight, lithium exploration remains active at the Panther Prospect. Channel sampling results returned average grades of 0.14% Li2O and 0.48% Li2O over 31 meters and 9 meters, respectively. The moderate results suggest potential but do not rival the scale of gold discoveries.

The pegmatites at Panther, striking NW and hosted in gneissic granite, warrant further exploration, particularly in deeper or less accessible zones. However, the company has made it clear that lithium exploration will take a backseat as gold prospects gain momentum.

Strategic Realignment with SQM Partnership

Kali Metals (ASX: KM1) retains 100% ownership of the Marble Bar Project following renegotiated terms with SQM Australia in October 2024. The revised agreement saw SQM commit to spending $4.25 million by 2026 to earn a 50% stake in Kali Metals’ (ASX: KM1) DOM’s Hill and Pear Creek Projects, underscoring the strategic significance of Kali Metals’ (ASX: KM1) Pilbara assets.

Despite a turbulent year with a -74.77% return, Kali Metals’ (ASX: KM1) stock recently rallied, gaining 17.39% to $0.135 on January 21, 2025. The uptick reflects growing market optimism surrounding the Marble Bar discoveries.

As exploration intensifies, the coming months could be transformative for the company. Field data and drilling outcomes will likely define Kali Metals’ (ASX: KM1) trajectory in both gold and lithium markets.

What’s Next?

Kali Metals’ (ASX: KM1) pivot to gold exploration at Marble Bar signals a strategic adaptation to maximize shareholder value. With fieldwork already underway and the promise of drilling campaigns in early 2025, the company is poised to unlock the project’s full potential. For investors, the dual focus on gold and lithium offers a balanced yet dynamic growth narrative.