Novo Lítio is planning to begin drilling at its Spodumenberget lithium project in Västernorrland County, Sweden, later this year after receiving necessary approvals.

The company has stated that the permitting process for an initial drill programme is in progress.

Novo Lítio already completed the targeting work over the project.

The programme is expected to target high-grade results from previous surface sampling, including 2.77% Li2O from spodumene-bearing rock chip samples.

Novo Lítio CEO David Frances said: “Keeping with our goal to supply lithium from Europe for Europe, exploration work on our Portuguese and Swedish tenement portfolios continues to move forward, while we progress legal proceedings to enforce our rights over the Sepeda lithium project.

“Spodumenberget has exhibited encouraging high-grade lithium mineralisation at surface, so we are keen to test our exploration models with some first-pass drill holes.”

“Spodumenberget has exhibited encouraging high-grade lithium mineralisation at surface, so we are keen to test our exploration models with some first-pass drill holes.”

The Swedish projects are expected to complement the company’s Portuguese assets, and support its strategy to be a supplier of lithium carbonate/hydroxide to the European markets.

Mapping confirmed the presence of pegmatite outcrops over a strike length of 340m, and up to 100m wide, with surrounding areas masked by a glacial cover.

The company intends to test the area by four initial drill holes to determine whether any mineralised pegmatites of significant width are present.

Novo Lítio also owns tenements in the Hamrånge region of Gävle Municipality in Gävleborg County, and in the Räggen region of the Bräcke Municipality, Jämtland County, in Central Northern Sweden.