Anson Resources Ltd (ASX:ASN, OTCQB:ANSNF) has extracted supersaturated brine from Mississippian Units at the Green River Lithium Project in the Paradox Basin in south-eastern Utah, USA, confirming expectations that this will be the site of its second lithium project in Utah.
Sampling was undertaken after completion of the Bosydaba #1 well at Green River, which is on recently purchased private property, and the Mississippian Units measured >255.55 metres (>740 feet) thick with pressure of 4,900 psi.
The supersaturated brine, weighing 9.5 pounds per gallon (lb/g), continued to flow into the well up to a vertical depth of 600 feet from surface after a continued sampling period. The brine is inflowing from the interval at 10,470 to 11,210 feet.
High pressure and porosity
Brine flowed into the tubing without 'breaking down' the formation indicating high pressure and porosity, which assists with extraction.
Even with the brine weighing 9.5 lb/g the pressure of 4,900 psi has resulted in the supersaturated brine flowing to within 600 feet of the surface.
Anson’s strategy has been to explore and develop the Green River Lithium Project, which was staked in January 2023, in parallel with the development of the nearby Paradox Lithium Project.
The company has leveraged its experience and expertise gained in the development of the Paradox Project to fast-track exploration and mineral delineation of Green River.
Drilling of Bosydaba #1 confirms Anson’s interpretation that the pressures would be at least the same as that at the Paradox project (approximately 4,000 to 4,500 psi) and based on the geologic and regional infrastructure that it was an ideal location for its second lithium project in Utah.
Use of samples
Bulk samples were stored in a 400-gallon frac tank and IBC containers. The samples will be used for continued process testing and metallurgical test work.
The collected samples will be sent to a certified laboratory in Texas, experienced in oil field brines, and assayed for lithium, iodine, bromine, boron and other minerals.
A large volume, 400-barrel, tank was also collected and stored at the Sample Demonstration Plant (SDP) for ongoing process test work.
Bosydaba #1 well will be left open to enable the extraction of additional brine for ongoing processing at the SDP should that be required.
Anson said that the SDP was fully commissioned and had lithium extraction capability as well as downstream purification.
This plant is capable of operating 24/7 and producing a high-purity lithium carbonate product as samples for potential offtake partners.