Battery minerals company Lithium Energy (ASX:LEL) has confirmed positive lithium concentrations and specific yields across ‘significant’ brine intersections on the Chico 1 concession, located within the Solaroz Lithium Brine Project in Argentina.
The company says cumulative intersections of 215m of lithium brine mineralisation was encountered in hole SOZDD003 across the upper and lower aquifers.
In the upper aquifer, Lithium Energy says 125m of lithium brine mineralisation was encountered between 158m and 283m with sampling and assay results indicating a lithium grade of up to 397mg/L, averaging 347mg/L with a specific yield of 18%.
The lower aquifer intersected at least 90m of lithium brine mineralization from 500m to at least 590m. Assay results here recorded lithium grades of up to 395mg/L, averaging 351mg/L with an averaged specific yield of 14%.
Lithium Energy says SOZDD003 was terminated at 590m due to drill rig limitations, and notes the hole was still in lithium brine mineralisation. The company is yet to determine the depth of the hole to basement.
Commenting on the results, Lithium Energy Executive Chairman William Johnson says encountering further ‘substantial’ intersections of lithium brine mineralisation at Solaroz, combined with an interpretation of recently conducted geophysics is ‘significant’ as it supports the potential for widespread lithium mineralisation.
“This drilling rig together with the drilling rig currently completing hole SOZDD002, will shortly be mobilising to the next holes in the planned 10 hole, 5,000m drilling program”
“This drilling rig together with the drilling rig currently completing hole SOZDD002, will shortly be mobilising to the next holes in the planned 10 hole, 5,000m drilling program. Results from this drilling program will be used to establish a significant maiden JORC resource of lithium at Solaroz.”
Lithium Energy reports a 44m thick brine bearing extension in the upper aquifer between 114m and 158m was also identified from geophysical hole logging. This zone was not sampled for lithium due to operational reasons, however it represents a further area of interest to the company in determining the true depth of potential lithium-bearing brines in SOZDD003.
The company says both the aquifers exhibit positive total porosity, specific yield measurements, and magnesium (Mg) to lithium (Li) ratios which would indicate very favourable lithium extraction conditions. These results will also provide important data which will be used to delineate a maiden JORC mineral resource at the project.
It also notes these results are similar to the results found in SOZDD001 and support the interpretation of previously conducted geophysics, as well as the potential for the widespread occurrence of lithium brines across Solaroz.
The company says the drill rig will now be mobilised to the next hole in the initial 10-hole drilling program at Solaroz. It is also awaiting the receipt and review of assays, and geophysical hole logging results from SOZDD002 located about 3km northwest of SOZDD003.
Lithium Energy is an ASX-listed battery minerals company developing its flagship Solaroz Lithium Brine Project in Argentina and the Burke Graphite Project in Queensland.
The Solaroz project comprises 12,000 hectares of ‘highly prospective’ lithium mineral concessions within the Salar de Olaroz basin in northwest Argentina.
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