Rodinia Lithium Inc. Defines 4,959,000 Tonne Lithium Carbonate Equivalent Resource at Salar de Diablillos
- DIABLILLOS INFERRED MINERAL RESOURCE: 4,959,000 TONNES OF LITHIUM CARBONATE EQUIVALENT AND 19,837,000 TONNES OF POTASSIUM CHLORIDE EQUIVALENT- 4,959,000 TONNES LITHIUM CARBONATE EQUIVALENT IS BELIEVED TO BE THE SECOND LARGEST LITHIUM BRINE RESOURCE TO DATE PREPARED UNDER NI 43-101 STANDARDS
- PROJECT MAINTAINS ITS FAVOURABLE GEOCHEMISTRY WITH LOW MAGNESIUM AND SULPHATE LEVELS
- DEPOSIT REMAINS OPEN AT DEPTH WITH CONSIDERABLE POTENTIAL FOR INCREASED RESOURCE GRADE AND SIZE WITH FURTHER DRILLING
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 03/02/11 -- Rodinia Lithium Inc. ('Rodinia' or the 'Company') (TSX VENTURE: RM)(OTCQX: RDNAF), is pleased to report receipt of an independent brine resource estimate for its Salar de Diablillos lithium-brine project ('Diablillos' or the 'Salar'), located in Salta, Argentina, conducted by AMEC Internacional Ingenieria y Construccion Limitada ('AMEC'). The resource estimate reports an inferred brine resource of 932,000 tonnes of lithium ('Li') metal, 10,404,000 tonnes of potassium ('K') and 1,083,000 tonnes of boron ('B'), which is equivalent to 4,959,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent ('LCE'), 19,837,000 tonnes of potassium chloride ('PE' or 'potash') and 6,194,000 tonnes of B203 ('Boric Acid'). The project has an average magnesium to lithium ratio ('Mg:Li') of 3.68 and an average sulphate to lithium ratio ('SO4:Li') of 14.48.
William Randall, President and CEO of Rodinia, commented 'this resource estimate positions Diablillos amongst the premiere lithium and potash bearing salars in the world. This represents one of the largest estimated brine resources in the world. In addition to its size, the brine geochemistry is favourable with low magnesium-to-lithium and sulfate-to-lithium ratios. Based on the above, the Company believes the project has the potential to become a producer of lithium, potassium and boron products in the near future.'
AMEC developed a geological model based on the data provided by Rodinia management that was subsequently independently validated. The geological model subdivided the Salar into three aquifers with distinct geological and geochemical characteristics:
- Aquifer I: comprises a near surface zone, composed of ulexite, coarse clastic sediments and clay predominantly in the centre of the Salar to an average depth of 4.5 metres,
- Aquifer II: occupies a middle zone, composed of an interbedded sequence of sands, silts and clays to a maximum depth of 90 meters and an average vertical thickness of 58 meters,
- Aquifer III: represents the basal unit, open at depth, of inter-bedded layers of sand, silt, gravel, and minor clay. This layer was assumed to be the base of the resource and is open at depth.
A table showing the breakdown of the resource estimate is shown in Table 1.
Table 1 - Inferred Brine Resource Estimate, Diablillos Lithium-Potash
Project, Salta, Argentina as of February 22, 2011
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Total
Aquifer Volume Porosity S. G. Concentration Tonnage
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Li K B
Li K B (Mt) (Mt) (Mt)
(1000 m3) (%) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (1000) (1000) (1000)
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I 276,465 27.50% 1.10 592 6,298 647 45 479 49
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II 1,463,920 32.50% 1.07 471 5,269 540 224 2,507 257
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III 3,460,855 32.50% 1.10 589 6,595 691 663 7,418 777
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TOTAL 5,201,240 32.23% 1.09 556 6,206 646 932 10,404 1,083
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Table 1 - Inferred Brine Resource Estimate, Diablillos Lithium-
Potash Project, Salta, Argentina as of February 22, 2011
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Total
Aquifer Volume Porosity S. G. LCE PE BAE
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Boric
Li2CO3 KCl Acid
Mt eq. Mt eq. Mt eq.
(1000 m3) (%) (1000) (1000) (1000)
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I 276,465 27.50% 1.10 240 913 281
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II 1,463,920 32.50% 1.07 1,193 4,780 1,469
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III 3,460,855 32.50% 1.10 3,526 14,144 4,444
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TOTAL 5,201,240 32.23% 1.09 4,959 19,837 6,194
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Table 1 - Inferred brine resource estimate for the Salar de Diablillos.
Equivalent tonnages are reported as in situ in metric tonnes ('Mt') and were
calculated using standard conversion rates as determined by the chemical
composition of the final product, and are independent of price and mining
processes. A 230 mg/l Li cut off was used for all resource estimations.
Notes:
(1) The brine resource estimate is reported consistent with the principles
of the disclosure standards under NI 43-101.
(2)The economic cut-off applied was based on analogous deposits.
(3) Certain assumptions regarding porosity, permeability and boundary
conditions are based on analogous salar-hosted brines and may change when
detailed data from the Diablillos deposit are collected.
(4) Assumptions regarding thicknesses of Aquifer ll and lll may change with
more detailed drilling and geophysical data.
(5) Total porosity was used to estimate the in situ lithium, potassium, and
boron. Recoverable resources are determined by the 'specific yield' which is
the unit volume of fluid that will drain under gravity. The specific yield
could ranges between 1 and 22%, depending on lithology.
(6) The effective date of the estimate is March 1, 2011.
Rodinia began work on Diablillos in 2010. By the end of the same year management had completed an extensive auger sampling program and had drilled 16 reverse circulation drill holes covering the entire basin, collecting data that included lithology, specific gravity, flow rates, temperature and other field measurements. Additionally, downhole geophysical logging (porosity and density), sediment and brine sampling was conducted at regular intervals where possible. The exploration program included a property- wide gravity and topographical survey. The results were indicative of relatively high grade of lithium contained within the brines and were deemed adequate for an initial resource estimate.
Lithium mineralization is confined within the enclosed basin. Vulcan software wireframe solids were generated by AMEC for the different domains, as well as the basement and topography surfaces. The Diablillos block model was created using Vulcan using a 250x250x6m block size with sub blocks down to 50x50x2m for aquifers II and III. For Aquifer I, where auger sampling was done on a 300x300m spacing, and the parent block size was 50x50x6m with sub blocks down to 25x25x2m. Block grades were calculated using squared inverse distance ('ID2') grade estimation methodologies. All blocks were assigned an Inferred Mineral resource classification. At depth resources within the third aquifer, were limited by an interpolated surface representing 30m below the total depth of drill holes.
The independent brine resource estimate prepared by AMEC is consistent with the standards set out in Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101. A complete National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report, which will incorporate the brine resource estimation, will be filed on Sedar within 45 days of release of this press release.
The resource model and brine resource estimation, was completed and/or supervised by Paolo Bevacqua, P. Geo, Senior Hydrogeologist, of AMEC Internacional Ingenieria y Construccion Limitada, Santiago, Chile. By virtue of his background and professional experience Mr. Bevacqua is a 'Qualified Person' as defined by NI 43-101. The Project was supervised by Ray Spanjers, Rodinia's Manager of Exploration. Mr. Spanjers is considered a Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
About Rodinia Lithium Inc.:
Rodinia Lithium Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company with a primary focus on lithium exploration and development in North and South America. The Company is positioned to capitalize on the expected increase in demand for lithium carbonate that is projected to result from the anticipated paradigm shift to mass adoption and use of key lithium applications like lithium-ion batteries as well as glass ceramics, greases, pharmaceuticals etc.
Rodinia is currently exploring its Clayton Valley project in Nevada, USA, which surrounds the only lithium-brine producer in North America, and its Salar de Diablillos project in Salta, Argentina.
Please visit the Company's web site at www.rodinialithium.com or write us at info@rodinialithium.com.
Cautionary Notes
Except for statements of historical fact contained herein, the information in this press release constitutes 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as 'plans', 'proposes', 'estimates', 'intends', 'expects', 'believes', 'may', 'will' and include without limitation, statements regarding the resource estimate, the impact of the drill program at the Diablillos property and results of such drill program; the potential of the Diablillos property; the potential results and timetable for further exploration with respect to the Clayton Valley project and the Diablillos property, the timetable with respect to future acquisitions and exploration developments at Clayton Valley and Diablillos, timetable for further exploration, analysis and development, title disputes or claims; and governmental approvals and regulation. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, metal prices, competition, financing risks, acquisition risks, risks inherent in the mining industry, and regulatory risks. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, the Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.
Contacts:
Investor Cubed Inc.
Investor Relations
+1 (647) 258-3311
Rodinia Lithium Inc.
Aaron Wolfe
Vice-President, Corporate Development
+1 (416) 309-2696
info@rodinialithium.com
www.rodinialithium.com