Lithium Energy Ltd (ASX:LEL) continues to grow the lithium potential of its flagship Solaroz Lithium Brine Project in Argentina with further intersections of lithium-rich brines as well as the start of drilling at the Northern Block on the Olaroz Salar.
The exploration company has begun drilling at SOZDD007 to test the extent of lithium mineralisation in the relatively large, previously undrilled Northern Block area.
Lithium Energy is proposing to drill Hole 7 to a target depth of about 500 metres below surface.
SOZDD007 is a step-out drill hole from the resource area encompassing the initial maiden JORC inferred mineral resource estimate (MRE) of 3.3 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) at Solaroz, announced last month.
Further discovery
At Hole 6, or SOZDD006, drilling is ongoing, with assay results received to date confirming a total 164-metre intersection of lithium-rich brines, with concentrations of up to 448 mg/l lithium.
Other findings worth noting include:
- 131-metre intersection of conductive brines encountered across the upper aquifer, from a depth of 134 metres, in brine hosting unconsolidated sandstone units and fine gravels - assays have returned lithium concentrations of up to 354 mg/l;
- The transition from the upper to lower aquifers is evidenced by a clay (lateral halite equivalent) layer of 22 metres encountered from a depth of about 265 metres;
- The lower aquifer (Deep Sand Unit) commences at a depth of about 287 metres, in brine hosting sandstone units and some unconsolidated conglomerates, intersecting 33 metres of lithium-rich brines from about 287 metres - assays to date have returned lithium concentrations of up to 448mg/l;
- Conductive brines are generally increasing in conductivity and density at depth, as ongoing drilling progresses into the Deep Sand Unit, with a current hole depth of about 440 metres; and
- Target (NYSE:TGT) hole depth to basement is expected to be about 580 metres.
Meanwhile, drilling at holes 4 (SOZDD004) and 5 (SOZDD005) has been completed, with final brine and core assays and geophysical logging results pending analysis.