Lithium Energy (ASX:LEL) reports that it has commenced a maiden drilling operation at its highly prospective flagship Solaroz Brine Project in Argentina.
The 5,000m drilling campaign comprises a combination of 10 diamond and rotary drillholes with a goal of testing the extent and grades of lithium mineralisation, porosity and flow rates across the layer(s) of conductive brines previously identified through a geophysics operation.
The first drillhole of the campaign (OZDH001) is currently underway and is located directly adjacent to lithium majors Allkem’s (ASX:AKE) Olaroz Lithium Facility and 10kms from its production bore field.
Addressing the maiden drilling campaign, Lithium Energy Executive Chairman, William Johnson, commented: “The commencement of drilling at Solaroz is a major milestone for Lithium Energy, with the objective of the planned drilling program being to define a maiden JORC Mineral Resource of lithium at Solaroz.
“the objective of the planned drilling program being to define a maiden JORC Mineral Resource of lithium at Solaroz”
Lithium Energy is also very pleased to confirm the engagement of highly regarded consultant hydrologist Murray Brooker, who has extensive lithium experience at the Olaroz Salar, where Solaroz is located. Mr Brooker has previously acted as the competent person preparing JORC reports for Allkem on their neighbouring lithium production project at Solaroz. Mr Brooker’s extensive experience at the Olaroz Salar is expected to be extremely valuable as he assists Lithium Energy to prepare its own maiden JORC Mineral Resource for Solaroz.”
The company also notes that the initial drilling program will seek to validate the previously announced exploration target and also define a maiden JORC Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of lithium at Solaroz.
The Solaroz Lithium Brine Project is located in Argentina’s Salar de Olaroz Basin and comprises 12,000 hectares of highly prospective lithium mineral tenements, with Lithium Energy owning 90% of all associated tenements. The project is accessed by good quality road infrastructure and supported by favourable conditions in terms of both the operating environment and local infrastructure.
With the maiden drilling campaign now underway, Lithium Energy announces that it will continue to interpret the recent geophysics results to determine optimal locations for subsequent drillholes to aid in the drilling campaign.
In addition, Lithium Energy has engaged Murray Brooker as technical consultant for Solaroz to oversee the preparation of the planned maiden JORC MRE.
Murray Brooker is a lithium consultant and hydrogeologist with 31 years’ experience in the mining industry and has previously had a role at lithium major Allkem on its Olaroz and Cauchari lithium brine projects.
Images: Lithium Energy Ltd
