Review of published exploration data for adjacent tenements strengthens company belief that lithium-rich aquifer lies within Solaroz Lithium Brine Project.

Analysis was completed over various geophysical surveys and drilling data previously undertaken in the Salar de Olaroz Basin by Orocobre Limited (ASX: ORE) and Lithium Americas Corporation (NYSE: LAC). Previous exploration works included a combination of Gravity and Audio-frequency Magnetotellurics (AMT) surveys with follow-on drilling.

Lithium Energy Limited (ASX: LEL) embarked upon this further analysis as a preliminary exercise towards building a conceptual exploration target at its flagship Solaroz Lithium Brine Project and expect to soon be in a position to announce these targets.

The Solaroz project is surrounded by tenements held by Orocobre and Lithium America within the ‘lithium triangle’ situated in the north-west of Argentina and has seen lithium brine extraction and lithium carbonate production since 2015.

Lithium’s interpretation of the basin architecture is that the aquifer which supplies the lithium-rich brine that has so far been extracted, is contained in a ‘Deep Sand Unit’ within the Olaroz Salar that extends to the north and to the west under the Solaroz tenements.

Geophysical results

Lithium Energy have analysed a number of Gravity and AMT surveys conducted by Orocobre, some of which were taken in close proximity to the Solaroz tenements.

The Gravity line surveys determined the lowest depth limit to which lithium-rich brines could be encountered below the surface, while the AMT line surveys demonstrated the extent of the lithium-rich brine potential and its location in relation to the basement rock.

Lithium Energy
Geophysical surveys conducted by Orocobre across the Solaroz Lithium Project

The reported results from Orocobre’s Olaroz North AMT survey indicate the likely presence of conductive brines extender underneath the Solaroz Chico 1, Chico V and Payo 2 (South) tenements (as shown in the location map above).

Furthermore, the interpreted paleo channel through which the brines are interpreted to have likely flowed into the producing aquifer lies under the Solaroz Payo 1 and Payo 2 tenements.

These results have provided valuable insight into the composition of the Olaroz Salar and assisted Lithium Energy to outline its own detailed preliminary geological model of the region, including the location and depths of potential lithium-rich brine located in its ‘Deep Sand Unit’. This review has strengthened the company’s own view that the lithium-rich aquifer from which Orocobre have seen sustained extraction continues into the Solaroz grounds of Lithium Energy.

Lithium Energy is highly encouraged by this review and is currently undertaking further analysis to enable the creation of a conceptual Exploration Target for the Solaroz Project, which will be released shortly.

 

 

This article was developed in collaboration with Lithium Energy Limited, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

 

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.