Lithium Energy is taking its drilling beyond its existing resource at Solaroz. Pic: via Getty Images
Lithium Energy steps out lithium drilling to northern blocks outside its Solaroz resource
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With drilling continuing to deliver lithium-rich brines at its flagship Solaroz project in Argentina, Lithium Energy is now stepping out its drilling to new areas within the Olaroz Salar.
Drilling has begun at Hole 7 (SOZDD007), the first drill hole to test the conductive brines at the company’s Northern Block of concessions (Payo 1 and Payo 2 North), a significant step-out from the area which hosts the Solaroz resource of 3.3Mt lithium carbonate equivalent.
The conductive brines were identified by geophysics in this relatively large, previously undrilled Northern Block area and Hole 7 will be drilled to a total depth of about 500m to test the extent of lithium mineralisation.
This move out of the central area comes as Lithium Energy (ASX:LEL) reports that Drillhole 6 (SOZDD006) has so far intersected a total of 164m of lithium-rich brines, with lithium concentrations of up to 448mg/l in the lower (Deep Sand Unit) aquifer.
This includes a significant 131m intersection of conductive brines encountered across the upper aquifer from a depth of 134m with lithium concentrations of up to 354mg/l while 33m of lithium-rich brines were intersected in the lower aquifer from a depth of 287m.
Lithium Energy notes the higher lithium concentrations in the lower aquifer and that the conductive brines are generally increasing in conductivity and density at depth.
Drillhole 6 is currently at a depth of 440m with drilling continuing to its target depth of about 500m.
Completed drilling
Additionally, the company is awaiting review and analysis of final brine and core assays from Drillholes 4 (SOZDD004) and 5 (SOZDD005), which were completed to depths of about 787.5m and 690m respectively.
The assays from brine samples and core samples are currently being analysed at a laboratory in the US while geophysical logging measurements for total porosity, specific yield, conductivity, resistivity and spectral gamma are undergoing review/analysis.
Lithium Energy’s interest in lithium brines is unsurprising given that they typically have lower processing costs and emissions compared to their hard rock counterparts.
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.
