Latest resource update to Galan’s HMW project shows ‘enormity’ of lithium brine potential
HMW’s resource has increased to 6.6Mt of contained lithium carbonate equivalent.
Galan Lithium (ASX: GLN) has debuted an updated resource for its Hombre Muerto West (HMW) lithium brine project in Argentina, which managing director Juan Pablo Vargas de la Vega says highlights the “enormity” of its potential.
Total resources at HMW have increased to 6.6 million tonnes of contained lithium carbonate equivalent grading 880 milligrams per litre lithium, with this latest update the third significant upgrade since March 2020.
HMW is also now one of Argentina’s highest-grade lithium brine projects.
The updated resource remains consistent with low impurities, and 4.7Mt is classified as measured.
Including Galan’s nearby Candelas project, resources across the company’s Argentinean landholding now total 7.3Mt at 852mg/l of lithium.
“This latest increase in the high grade, low impurity HMW resource highlights the potential enormity of the brine resource that sits within Galan’s 100% owned tenements in Argentina,” Mr Vargas de la Vega said.
He said since the maiden resource of 1.08Mt of lithium carbonate equivalent was revealed in March 2020 for HMW, Galan had continued to drill and acquire tenements on the Hombre Muerto salar.
“HWM now sits at a world class size of 6.6Mt contained lithium carbonate equivalent at 880mg/l lithium.”
“Coupled with our Candelas resource, Galan has a very solid foundation, and more importantly confidence, that its Hombre Muerto Salar resources fully support its four-stage lithium production target of up to 60,000t per annum of lithium carbonate equivalent,” Mr Vargas de la Vega added.
Hombre Muerto salar
HMW and Candelas are located on the Hombre Muerto salar within Argentina’s lithium triangle.
HMW is about 170km from the city of Salta and 1,400km northwest of Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires.
HMW has about 16km of strike and is near to projects owned by major lithium operators including Livent, Allkem and POSCO.
The project comprises seven concessions: Pata Pila, Rana de Sal, Deceo II, Del Condor, Pucara, Catalina and Santa Barbara.
Exploration upside remains at HMW, with many areas yet to be drill tested.