Anson Resources Ltd (ASX:ASN, OTCQB:ANSNF) has completed drilling the Bosydaba#1 Well to a vertical depth of 3,416.81 metres (11,210 feet) at the Green River Lithium Project in the Paradox Basin of south-eastern Utah, USA.
Drilling the Leadville Formation to a depth of 11,210 feet at Bosydaba#1, which is on recently purchased private property, completed the company’s Green River exploration program and is the first phase of the Green River JORC mineral resource definition plan.
The drilling intersected the limestone units at a depth of 3,191.26 metres (10,470 feet) and was stopped before penetrating through the Leadville Formation.
This indicates that the Leadville Formation, Mississippian Unit is likely to continue deeper than the recorded depth of 3,416.81 metres.
Thicker than at Paradox
Results indicate that Clastic Zones 31 is 55% thicker and Leadville Formation, Mississippian Units are 85% thicker compared to the Paradox Lithium Project.
In the Paradox Formation, the Clastic Zone 31 is 9.45 metres thick (31 feet) while the Leadville Formation, Mississippian Units is greater than 225.55 metres thick (>740 feet). The target zones consist of similar lithological units at both projects.
Anson said thickness was important as it was one of the factors in calculating brine volume used for JORC resource estimates.
“Bodes well” for resource estimate
Executive chairman & CEO Bruce Richardson said, “The massive increase in thickness of both Clastic 31, Paradox Formation and the Leadville Formation, Mississippian Units bodes well for the calculation of the JORC resource.
"We are moving onto the next stage of this exploration program with the sampling and testing of the brine in the targeted areas.
"We are very pleased with the results with the Boysdaba#1 drilling program which despite the depth was conducted using government-approved engineering procedures that were not only safe but had minimal impact upon the environment, which are the major considerations for this company in any drilling program.
"A large amount of geological and geophysical data was collected during the program which will be combined with the assay results in the estimation of a JORC resource.”
Use of oil-based muds
Drilling the Bosydaba#1 deep well required the use of oil-based muds (OBM), which is a heavy drilling fluid, used to prevent possible blow outs due to the pressures in some of the deep lithological units, especially those containing hydrocarbon gases.
However, while drilling through the Mississippian Units lighter muds were able to be used.
At the bottom of the hole, it was detected that a small amount of chloride had entered the oil-based muds. A sample was collected and fluid (water and brine) separated from the muds.
The Leadville Formation intersected in the Bosydaba#1 well consists of limestone, dolomite with minor sandstone, shale and anhydrite.
Mississippian units intersected have the same lithological units at the Paradox project 50 kilometres to the southeast of Green River indicating that the horizons are continuous between the two projects.
“Moved at rapid pace”
"Congratulations to the Anson exploration team that worked on this drilling program and ensured its success!
"Since purchasing the private land at Green River, the company has moved at a rapid pace in developing the opportunity presented and aims to continue to work at the same pace in quickly developing this project.
"The Boysdaba#1 is a significant asset that has been added to the company and has further increased shareholder value, our main objective.”
Smaller rig for sampling
The large drilling rig that was utilized for the deep drilling program is being replaced with a smaller 'work-over' rig that will take brine samples from both the Paradox Formation Clastic Zone 31 and Leadville Formation, Mississippian Units.
Once collected, the brine samples from Clastic Zone 31 and Leadville will be sent to certified laboratories to assay for lithium and other minerals.
Anson’s private property at Green River which was recently rezoned as a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) from the Green River City Planning & Zoning Commission allowing exploration drilling and mineral processing to be carried out on the land parcels.
The land parcels are on flat, sparsely vegetated ground that required minimal earthworks prior to the commencement of drilling reducing the environmental impact of the region.