Rodinia Lithium Announces Up to 1,800 mg/L Lithium from Aquifer I Pit Sample Results - Brine Samples from Surface Pits Return Grades Up to 1,800 mg/L Lithium and 13,000 mg/L Potassium- Samples Taken from Surface Pits Resulting from Mining of Ulexite
- Brine Samples from Surface Pits Return Grades Up to 1,800 mg/L Lithium and 13,000 mg/L Potassium
- Samples Taken from Surface Pits Resulting from Mining of Ulexite
- Represent Highest Grade Sample Results from Diablillos
- Samples Were Taken from Aquifer I, Opening Up the Potential to Recover the Brine from This Aquifer by Open Pit or Trenching
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 07/13/11 -- Rodinia Lithium Inc. ('Rodinia' or the 'Company') (TSX VENTURE: RM)(OTCQX: RDNAF) is pleased to announce results from an additional surface sampling program at its Salar de Diablillos project ('Diablillos' or 'Salar') located in Salta Province, Argentina. Results from three large surface pits, a result of current surface mining of ulexite within the top three meters of the Salar, returned high grade values of lithium ('Li'), potassium ('K') and boron ('B'). In particular, samples P8 and P9 returned the highest lithium values sampled on the Salar, with values up to 1800 mg/L Li, 13000 mg/L K, and 990 mg/L B.
William Randall, President & CEO of Rodinia, commented, 'The results from these samples are a very pleasant surprise as they are considerably higher grade than our previous surface sampling program, performed with an auger drill. What makes these samples even more encouraging is the fact that they were collected following a period of intense rainfall, possibly the largest in recorded history, meaning that these samples have probably not been further concentrated from their original geochemistry. This is a major development in the definition of Aquifer I. We will now look at the possibility of developing this aquifer through a series of pits or trenches, in a similar way to the brine potash mines of the Utah Salt Flats. Management remains optimistic that this may potentially provide the Company with high grade, low cost initial production with respect to the Salar.'
Table 1 - Results from pit samples P7, P8 & P9 - All samples taken in
the same area of the Salar.
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Sample Li (mg/L) K (mg/L) B (mg/L) Mg:Li SO4:Li
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P7 590 6100 650 4.41 16.44
P8 1800 13000 840 3.39 6.67
P9 1400 13000 970 3.36 8.57
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The pit samples maintain the favourable geochemistry of the Salar's brine, which is characterized by low magnesium to lithium ratios and distinctively low sulphate to lithium ratios. Lower sulphate levels can reduce the need for expensive reagents, such a calcium chloride ('CaCl2'), during the conventional evaporation processing techniques expected to be employed at the Salar.
The Project is supervised by Ray Spanjers, Rodinia's Manager of Exploration. Mr. Spanjers is considered a qualified person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this release. According to the Company's sampling protocol, sample size is to exceed 500 millilitres and is stored in clean, secure containers for transportation. The prepared samples are then forwarded to the ALS Laboratory Group, Environmental Division, in Fort Collins, Co (USA) for analysis. A rigorous QA/QC program is implemented consisting of regular insertion of standards and blanks to ensure laboratory integrity.
About Rodinia Lithium Inc.:
Rodinia Lithium Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company with a primary focus on Lithium exploration and development in North and South America. The Company is also actively exploring the commercialization of a significant Potash co-product that is expected to be recoverable through the lithium harvesting process.
Rodinia's Salar de Diablillos lithium-brine project in Salta, Argentina, contains a recoverable resource of 2.82 million tonnes lithium carbonate equivalent and 11.27 million tonnes potassium chloride equivalent. The project contains a recoverable inferred resource of 952,553,000 m(3) grading 556 mg/L lithium and 6,206 mg/L potassium. Throughout 2011, Rodinia will focus on continuing to develop the Diablillos project by completing additional drilling and advancing through scoping study. More information on the Company's recoverable resource estimate can be found on its SEDAR filing page at www.sedar.com.
The Company also holds 100% mineral rights to approximately 70,000 acres in Nevada's lithium-rich Clayton Valley in Esmeralda County, and is currently in the process of assessing the size, quality and processing alternatives of this deposit. The Clayton Valley project is located in the only known lithium-brine bearing salt lake in North America, and looks to represent the only new source for domestic lithium carbonate supply.
The Projects are supervised by Ray Spanjers, Rodinia's Manager of Exploration. Mr. Spanjers is considered a Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
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 impact of the drill program and surface sampling program at the Diablillos property and results of such programs; 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