Lithium Energy Limited (ASX:LEL) has confirmed that initial assay results confirm significant levels of Lithium brine concentrations at its flagship Solaroz Lithium Brine Project, located in Argentina in the heart of South America’s world renowned Lithium Triangle.
Asssays is excess of 400 mg/l hosted in the porous sandstones encountered between ~55 to ~228 metres depth in the first drillhole at Solaroz.
Solaroz is located directly adjacent to or principally surrounded by lithium majors Allkem Limited and Lithium Americas Corporation on the Salar de Olaroz basin.
Lithium Energy is highly encouraged by these early assay results, especially the significant Lithium concentrations and low Mg/Li ratios, both of which are positive in relation to future potential processing options.
The company is also pleased to note that these significant lithium grades have been encountered prior to drilling penetrating the primary target zone contained in the previously interpreted “Deep Sandstone” lower aquifer.
Drilling is now advancing in the first hole to test this primary target beneath a thick mudstone (seal) unit located from ~230 metres depth, which effectively has isolated the upper aquifer from the previously interpreted “Deep Sandstone” lower aquifer unit.
“To confirm the discovery of high concentrations of lithium in the brines in the upper aquifer of our first drill hole at Solaroz is a watershed moment for Lithium Energy,” Executive Chairman, William Johnson, said.
“It further confirms the potential for the Solaroz Project to host a significant resource of lithium brines in what is probably the best location globally to have a lithium discovery. With assay results showing that lithium concentrations in this first hole increase at depth, the Company is now looking forward to assay results from sampling the target lower aquifer, as drilling continues to its target depth of 400 metres.”
Initial Assay Results
Drilling at the first diamond drill hole (borehole SOZDD001) within the Mario Angel concession at Solaroz has currently reached a depth of ~250 metres. Whilst Lithium Energy commenced drilling with an initial target depth of ~300 metres, the proposed hole depth to the basement of the interpreted Deep Sandstone lower aquifer has now been increased to ~400 metres based upon a review of recent geophysics data.
Initial assay results for this first hole have now been received, for samples taken from ~65 to 170 metres in depth. These results have confirmed that lithium rich brines exist as part of an ‘upper aquifer’ hosting lithium concentrations of up to 416 mg/l.
These lithium rich brines are contained mostly in sandstones and fine gravels, which have porosity and permeability levels that are typically favourable for brine extraction.
Sampling of encountered brines in the upper aquifer were conducted by the use of double packers. Samples were sent to a local laboratory to test the chemical composition (particularly Lithium, Potassium, Magnesium concentrations).
Core samples will be sent to a separate US-based laboratory for centrifuge brine extraction and porosity testwork.
For further information please visit: https://lithiumenergy.com.au/
