Rincon drilling returns strong lithium grades and brine density for Power Minerals
The first hole of a resource definition drilling program at the Rincon salar within the Salta lithium project in Argentina has returned strong lithium grades and brine density for owner Power Minerals (ASX: PNN).
A diamond hole was drilled to a depth of 345.6 metres and assays from 15 packer brine samples taken from selected intervals returned lithium grades of up to 331 milligrams per litre and a high average brine density of 1.20 kilograms per litre.
The hole demonstrated visual porosity from surface to a depth of 306.6m, with multiple zones showing an estimated medium-to-high porosity.
Results confirm the presence of lithium-bearing brines in the first hole at the priority Rincon salar, and are a positive indicator of strong aquifer thickness for brine within the hole.
They are believed to confirm the salar’s mineral resource potential.
Drilling of a second hole at Rincon has reached a depth of 520m and is reported to be progressing well.
Valuable insights
Power managing director Mena Habib said drilling had provided valuable insights for the company.
“The results from the first hole at Rincon confirm the resource potential of our ongoing drilling campaign at Salta and enhance our geological understanding of the area,” he said.
“They provide confidence in our ability to expand the existing resource and add volumes to Salta’s global numbers.”
Confirming results
Drilling at the Rincon salar comprises three diamond holes for a total 1000m and is designed to confirm results from previous drilling in 2017.
It also aims to test for potential lithium resources in the northern part of the licence area.
A planned mineral resource upgrade will be the key input to a preliminary economic assessment currently being completed at Rincon and due for release later this year.
Incahuasi resource
In May, Power announced a maiden resource at the nearby Incahuasi salar of 249,308 tonnes lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) grading 198mg/l lithium concentration.
The numbers included a measured resource 160,556t LCE (64%); an indicated 74,571t LCE (30%); and an inferred 14,235t LCE (6%).
Incahuasi’s figures more than double the Salta project’s total lithium resource to 488,308t LCE.