Galan Lithium reports ‘outstanding’ results from long-term pump tests at Hombre Muerto West
Long-term pump testing at the Rana de Sal concession generated steady flows with an average 967mg/l of lithium over more than 30 days.
Explorer and developer Galan Lithium (ASX: GLN) has reported “outstanding” results from a second long-term pump test at its wholly-owned Hombre Muerto West project in Argentina’s Catamarca province.
Testing at the PBRS-01-21 well within the Rana de Sal concession recorded a steady flow delivery of 25 litres per second at an average 967 milligrams per litre lithium grade for a period of more than 30 days from 14 September.
A total of 141 assays were received from the test and analysed at a laboratory in Jujuy province.
Actual lithium grades varied between 941mg/L and 997mg/L, remaining stable through the entire period and displaying what Galan described as a “remarkably steady distribution”.
Second pumping test
It was the second long-term pumping test conducted at the project following work at the PPB-01-21 well within the Pata Pila concession in July.
A third long-term pumping test is currently being carried out at the PPB-02-22 well within Pata Pila, located approximately 930m upgradient from PPB-01-21.
Galan said the test is approximately halfway through and is running at a steady flow of 20L/s.
Brine samples and levels are being regularly obtained for laboratory analysis.
Results from all three tests will be used as a foundation for the Hombre Muerto West reserves estimation which has been contracted to SRK Australia.
Total flow and chemical results have demonstrated that the volume and quality of brine feed conceptually supports an increase to the scope of the Hombre Muerto West piloting stage to 4,000 tonnes per annum lithium carbonate equivalent.
Evaporation tests
Galan has confirmed that two project-based brine evaporation batch tests have achieved 6% lithium concentration with low impurities.
It is reported to be a “significant de-risking achievement” as it proves the planned brine evaporation path at the project location and validates the process design and simulation model delineated by Galan.
The model is being used to upscale and increase the size of the original pilot plant and complete the project’s definitive feasibility study.