Lake Resources NL: Expansion of Drilling at Kachi
Sydney - Lithium exploration company Lake Resources NL (ASX:LKE) ("Lake" or "LKE") has sourced an additional larger rotary drilling rig to accelerate the drilling of lithium brines within porous sands, which are excellent host horizons, at the Company's 100%-owned Kachi Lithium Brine Project in Catamarca.- Drilling will be expanded within lithium brines at Lake's 100%-owned Kachi Lithium Brine Project in Catamarca Province, Argentina.
- An additional larger rotary drill rig has been contracted to support the current rig and accelerate the drilling programme.
- Thick porous sands identified provide the target of this drill programme as sands are excellent horizons for brines and may show significant grades as suggested by nearby third party drilling.
- Discussions are well advanced to grant access to areas in Jujuy Province adjacent to SQM/Lithium Americas' and Orocobre's respective projects in Jujuy.
Drilling is aimed at reaching target depths of 200m to 350m to intersect further brine horizons which are anticipated at depth. These may show significant results as suggested by nearby third party drilling with results above 250 mg/L lithium below 170m depth.
Drilling commenced with a rotary drill rig this month. However, minor delays have been due in part to sourcing drilling supplies and weather conditions. A decision was made to source an additional rig to commence in the coming week. This has delayed the anticipated assay results for brine samples.
Kachi Lithium Brine Project - Background
The Kachi Lithium Brine Project covers over 50,000 ha of mining leases owned 100% by Lake's Argentine subsidiary, Morena del Valle Minerals SA, over the centre of the known salt lakes in the deepest part of a large basin. Surface sampling has revealed positive lithium results and drilling has shown conductive brines in thick porous sands with the potential for a significant lithium brine basin.
The Company has a focus on an inclusive approach with local communities together with appropriate environmental management. A Letter of Intent was signed with Catamarca Province to facilitate the project through various permitting stages from exploration to production which bodes well for the future.
Update on Olaroz Cauchari Project in Jujuy Province
Lake is also pleased to advise that discussions are well advanced to grant exploration access to areas within Lake's ~45,000 ha Olaroz-Cauchari Project and Paso Project in Jujuy Province. The project is adjacent to SQM/Lithium Americas development project and Orocobre's lithium production and targets the same aquifers.
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About Lake Resources NL:
Lake Resources NL (ASX:LKE) is undertaking an aggressive exploration programme to explore and develop prime lithium projects in Argentina, owned 100%, among some of the largest players in the lithium sector. Lake holds one of the largest lithium tenement packages in Argentina (~170,000Ha) secured prior to a significant 'rush' by major companies with three key lithium brine projects located in the Lithium Triangle which produces half of the world's lithium. Lake also holds one large package of lithium pegmatite properties which were an unappreciated source of lithium in Argentina until recently.
The three key brine projects, Olaroz/Cauchari, Paso and Kachi, have similar settings to major world class brine projects being developed in the highly prospective Jujuy and Catamarca Provinces. One project is located next to Orocobre's Olaroz lithium production and SQM/Lithium Americas Cauchari project. The Kachi project covers 50,000 Ha over a salt lake south of FMC's lithium operation and near Albemarle's Antofalla project.
Drilling at Kachi has shown conductive brines in thick porous sands with results anticipated over the coming months. Surface sampling has revealed positive lithium results which will be expanded through the drilling program and geophysics. Exploration and permitting over Kachi and the other projects will provide several catalysts for the company's growth as these areas are assessed for major discoveries.
Significant corporate transactions continue in adjacent leases with development of SQM/Lithium Americas Olaroz/Cauchari project with an equity/debt investment over $300 million and Advantage Lithium's equity transaction in some of Orocobre's leases. LSC Lithium has also raised over $60 million on a large lease package in similar areas as Lake's properties. Nearby projects of Lithium X were subject to a takeover offer of C$265 million in December 2017.
Contact:
Steve Promnitz Managing Director
Lake Resources NL
T: +61-2-9188-7864
E: steve@lakeresources.com.au