Power Minerals confirms potential for more lithium brines at Salta project
Power Minerals says the vertical electrical sounding survey results from the Rincon salar highlight the expansion potential of the Salta lithium brine project.
Results from a recent geophysical survey at the Rincon North salar within Power Minerals’ (ASX: PNN) Salta lithium project in northwest Argentina have confirmed the potential for additional lithium brines.
The vertical electrical sounding (VES) survey was carried out across seven geophysics stations on the northern portion of Power’s licence area at Rincon, with results confirming the salar could host additional brines beneath adjacent alluvial fan aprons.
The results indicate continuity of concentrated brines in 150m-thick zones of saturated sand and gravel units within the fans, and highlight the potential for resource expansion in the yet-to-be-tested area.
Power is currently focused on expanding the mineral resource base at Salta, with drilling due to commence at the Incahuasi salar before progressing to Rincon and Pocitos.
A VES survey is currently in progress at Pocitos.
Supporting exploration plans
Power executive director Mena Habib said the Rincon survey would play an important role in supporting near-term exploration and environmental plans at Salta.
“The VES survey clearly indicates lithium brines within alluvial aprons which add to the expansion potential of the existing Rincon resource,” he said.
“Importantly, our increased understanding of the near-surface brine and freshwater distribution provides a critical input for environmental studies to support our project development plans and community relationships in the arid Puna region of Argentina.”
Brine and freshwater interface
The Rincon North VES survey helped define the concentrated brine and freshwater interface at the salar’s boundaries and in alluvial apron fans adjacent to the active Rincon salar.
The results are expected to contribute to the identification of new lithium resources under and within alluvial fans or in older, inactive portions of the salar.
The survey has also provided information on the potential for near-surface fresh or brackish water aquifers in the alluvial fans.
It was interpreted in conjunction with results from a transient electromagnetic (TEM) survey at Argentina Lithium & Energy Corporation’s West Rincon project.
Mr Habib said Power’s interpretation of both datasets has shown that concentrated lithium brines occur in 150m intervals at various depths in the alluvial fan sequence depending on the thickness of the alluvial sequence, with salar basement estimated at depths of up to 300m.