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Lithium Energy is testing the mettle of its lithium brine project
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Lithium Energy has kicked off a maiden drill program aimed at defining an initial JORC resource for its Solaroz project near existing third-party producers in Argentina.
The high-impact program of 10 holes totalling 5,000m will seek to convert the Exploration Target of between 1.5 million to 8.7 million tonnes of contained lithium carbonate equivalent into resources.
It will accomplish this by testing the extent and grades of lithium mineralisation, porosity, and flow rates across the layers of conductive brines, which have been previously identified through a geophysics program.
Lithium Energy’s (ASX:LEL) first hole is currently underway adjacent to Allkem’s Olaroz Lithium Facility and circa 10kms from its production bore field.
It has also engaged Murray Brooker, who previously acted as the Competent Person for Alkem on its Olaroz and Cauchari lithium brine projects, as the technical consultant for the Solaroz project.
“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,” executive chairman William Johnson said.
“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.
He added that Brooker’s extensive experience at the Olaroz Salar – preparing JORC reports for Alkem on their neighbouring projects – is expected to be extremely valuable as the company prepares its own maiden JORC resource.
Solaroz brine potential
Geophysics has confirmed the presence of significant volumes of potentially lithium hosting brines at Solaroz, with thicknesses up to 300m and to depths of up to 500m below surface in sections.
Similar conductive brines are currently being mined by Allkem in adjoining concessions, which is a strong indicator that lithium is also present within the brines in the company’s project.
The first hole, OZDH001, is currently underway about 10km from Allkem’s production bore field and 3km from Allkem’s recently acquired Maria Victoria concession.
Lithium Energy will continue interpreting the recent geophysics results to determine optimal location for subsequent drill holes in the drill program.
This article was developed in collaboration with Lithium Energy, 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.
