Anson Resources Ltd (ASX:ASN, OTCQB:ANSNF) has received a local permit for exploration drilling and operation of its proposed Utah Sample Demonstration Plant (USDP) at Green River Lithium Project in the Paradox Basin of south-eastern Utah, USA.
Approval of the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) by the Green River City Planning & Zoning Commission is an important step in Anson's plans to develop the Green River Project in parallel with its lead project, the nearby Paradox Lithium Project.
Granting of the CUP application, which was lodged with the commission in December 2023, follows Green River City Council’s approval of the re-zoning of Anson’s privately-owned ground at the project for exploration drilling and mineral processing.
Associated drilling
Approval for the exploration drilling program from the Government of Utah is expected in the next few weeks.
The CUP will allow the company to conduct exploration drilling adjacent to the proposed USDP.
Anson aims to utilise brine from the drilled well directly into the lithium extraction process at the USDP to replicate as closely as possible the operating conditions of the proposed future full-scale production plant.
This will include the temperature of the brine as well as the make-up of the brine, including the lithium grade.
Anson believes that this information will contribute to the further de-risking of the project by helping to provide greater certainty on the attributes of the lithium brines for potential offtake partners.
The site layout plan for the USDP at Green River. The pad for the drilling program is partially shown in the right side of the image. The USDP and the well will be joined together by a pipeline.
USDP progress
Work on the USDP began last November with strong progress achieved in recent weeks, including the construction of fencing surrounding the plant site, preparation of a drilling pad and connection of grid power and other utilities.
Equipment from Anson’s Lithium Innovation Centre (LIC) in Florida has been replicated and will be installed in the USDP.
With the CUP in place, applications for the planned drilling program have been made to the Utah Division of Oil and Gas (UDOGM) and are progressing through the approval stages.
Visitor Centre planned
The CUP also allows for the company’s planned Visitor Centre to progress at the Green River site.
Anson plans to use the Visitor Centre and USDP for meetings with potential offtake partners, OEMs, CAM (Cathode Active Materials) producers and potential funders of the planned full-scale production plant.
The area re-zoned by the Green River City Council for drilling and processing of minerals includes all of Anson’s privately owned land in Emery County.