Patagonia Lithium (ASX:PL3) has drilled its eighth well at the Cilon prospect in Argentina to 200m, completing six packer tests as it advances towards a target depth of 600m.
Well JAM 26-08 forms part of the company’s Formentera lithium brine project in the Jujuy province.
The six tests returned flow rates ranging from 285.7 litres per hour to 705.9L/h, with the highest recorded across the 126–137m interval.
Specific gravity increased from 1.04 grams per cubic centimetre in the shallowest test at 66–74m to 1.06g/cm³ across the deepest interval at 186–200m.
Total dissolved solids similarly rose from 37.61 parts per thousand (ppt) to 53.76ppt between the shallowest and deepest tests. Laboratory assays are expected within three to four weeks and will determine the lithium concentrations in the sampled brines.
Executive Chairman Phillip Thomas says the pumping rates indicate the aquifer is performing well during field testing.
“The main zone we are interested in is from 250m to 400m-plus, as this is where the aquifer is likely to have concentrated the lithium,” Thomas says.
Patagonia notes core logging between 189.22m and 200m identified predominantly unconsolidated fine brown sands with high visual porosity. More consolidated sections showed evidence of secondary carbonate cementation, although visual observations are not a substitute for laboratory analysis.
The next packer test is planned at 210m. Patagonia says it also intends to undertake a 72-hour pumping test after the well is lined with slotted PVC piping.
An environmental report submitted in response to regulatory requirements found no impact from drilling on the environment or the basin’s hydrological balance, the company says.
Formentera/Cilon hosts a mineral resource estimate of 551,400 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent at 294 milligrams per litre, including 14,800 tonnes in the indicated category and 536,600 tonnes inferred.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
Images: Patagonia Lithium
