Xantippe Resources Ltd (ASX:XTC, OTC:XTCPF) has started a geophysical exploration program at Carachi Lithium Brine Project in the lithium-rich province of Catamarca, Argentina, aimed at identifying the extent of the lithium brine reservoir.
The planned geophysics using 35 vertical electrical sounding (VES) locations will cover all tenements of the 21,900-hectare project that is contiguous to Lake Resources NL (ASX:LKE, OTCQB:LLKKF)’s in-development Kachi Lithium Project and in the heart of South America’s Lithium Triangle.
Neighbours to Lake Resources
This work is expected to define the thickness of the freshwater horizons (between 100 and 200 metres) that need to be crossed in future drilling and will identify the extent of the highly conductive brine aquifer that underlies the freshwater.
Being contiguous to Kachi, Xantippe hopes that the survey will confirm that brine continues east from the Lake Resources reservoir.
High hopes for survey
Xantippe’s managing director Richard Henning said: “We are very pleased to have commenced the VES geophysical survey to define the full extent of the brine target at the Carachi project.
“This survey will be used to finalise locations for the Phase 1 drilling program, and the company is hopeful that the survey will confirm that the lithium brine continues east from the LKE reservoir.
“We look forward to commencing the maiden drilling program when all permits are approved by the Mines Department.”
The results, interpretation and technical report of the VES geophysical survey are expected late in October.
Xantippe's land position in relation to Lake Resources' Kachi project.
In lithium region
As well as being proximal to Kachi, the Carachi Lithium Brine Project is around 100 kilometres south of the Salar del Hombre Muerto, where Livent is producing lithium brine and Allkem’s Sal de Vida (former Galaxy Resources) and Posco's Sal de Oro projects are under construction.
Xantippe is taking a fast-track approach to the project, intending to begin exploration drilling as soon as the VES results and drilling permits are in hand.
Following completion of the ongoing Environmental Impact Report (EIR), drilling permit requests will be submitted for selected exploration well locations.
The EIR was previously granted and the company is seeking approval of the re-application.
About Xantippe
Xantippe recently acquired 100% of West Australian company Carolina Lithium, which holds a number of lithium tenements in Argentina, through its subsidiary Arlupo SA.
With eight tenements totalling 215 square kilometres), bordering billion-dollar market-cap lithium brine explorer and developer, Lake Resources, the experienced board and management team are confident that work previous completed by LKE, should allow faster development through leveraging technological knowledge.
Xantippe has worked extensively to generate strong local partners with a long-standing relationship to local landowners. Through the acquisition of Carolina Lithium, Xantippe issued a significant proportion of its share capital to the Arecco Ingenieria Group.
Arecco is proving value to XTC by assisting with the acquisition of land in Catamarca, as well as introducing the company at the highest levels of government in Argentina.
Xantippe is leveraging downstream technologies to extract lithium brine through a process called Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE), which has shown that lithium can be processed more quickly and in an environmentally responsible way.