PilbaraMinerals Ltd. on July 11 reported a substantial increase in theJORC compliant mineral resource at the wholly owned lithium-tantalumproject in Western Australia.

Incorporating the results of a recently completed 28,400meter drilling program, the total measured, indicated and inferred resource hasrisen 60% from the previous estimate to 128.6 million tonnes grading 1.22% lithiumoxide (spodumene), 138 parts per million tantalum pentoxide and 0.63% ironoxide, containing 1.57 million tonnes of Li2O and 39 million pounds of Ta2O5.

The measured and indicated resource, available forconversion to ore reserves, has gone up 134% to 83.6 million tonnes grading1.27% Li2O, 135ppm Ta2O5 and 0.58% Fe2O3, containing 1.06 million tonnes oflithium oxide and 24.9 million pounds of Ta2O5.

The resource will underpin the new ore reserve which will beincluded in the definitive feasibility study on Pilgangoora that is on trackfor completion in August.

The company finalized a supply deal for the project withChina's General Lithium Corp. earlier in July.