Desert Minerals Limited has defined a maiden JORC Mineral Resource Estimate of 264.9 million tonnes at 1,006 ppm lithium at the Scotty Lithium Project in Nevada, replacing previous project estimates and scaling down its earlier conceptual exploration figures.

The maiden resource comprises 139.8 million tonnes at 1,002 ppm lithium in the Indicated category and 125.1 million tonnes at 1,011 ppm lithium in the Inferred category. The figure follows a targeted June 2026 drilling campaign using 11 sonic holes totaling 1,301.4 metres to test near-surface lithium mineralisation within the Volcanic Clay domain.

Alongside the resource, Desert Minerals has revised its Exploration Target downwards to between 218 million and 327 million tonnes grading 990 to 1,490 ppm lithium. Previous project disclosures had placed the conceptual Exploration Target significantly higher at 460 million to 837 million tonnes at 1,145 to 1,175 ppm lithium.

The revised target sits northwest of the current resource boundary toward drill hole SC23-003, which yielded 124.97 metres at 1,237 ppm lithium. Because that hole is located approximately 2.1 kilometres from its nearest neighbour, it remains outside the resource boundary and is restricted to the conceptual target.

“The delivery of a maiden JORC Mineral Resource Estimate at Scotty marks a major milestone for Desert Minerals and validates our belief in the project's potential. A shallow resource of 264.9 Mt at 1,006ppm Lithium demonstrates both scale and grade within one of North America's premier lithium districts.”

“Importantly, in addition to the Mineral Resource, a substantial Exploration Target of between 218 Mt and 327 Mt highlights the opportunity to further expand the project's resource base through future drilling towards the best drill hole intercept remaining on the project.”

— Mr. Peretz Shapiro, Executive Chairman

The company holds approximately $4.05 million in available cash to fund ongoing work across its portfolio, which includes the Mt Monger Gold Project in Western Australia. Additional drilling between the current resource boundary and drill hole SC23-003 will be required to test the continuity of the Volcanic Clay domain and determine whether any portion of the new Exploration Target can be converted into a mineral resource.

Elsewhere in the Nevada lithium district, regional activity includes Fulcrum Lithium Ltd reporting a maiden resource of 3.57 billion tonnes at 563 ppm lithium containing 10.7 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent at Alkali Flats.

Read the full announcement: Maiden JORC MRE defined at Scotty Lithium Project