Nevada Lithium Resources Inc (CSE:NVLH, OTCQB:NVLHF) announced it has discovered high-grade boron mineralization at its Bonnie Claire lithium project in Nevada.
The high levels of boron appear to be associated with high levels of lithium at Bonnie Claire, CEO Stephen Rentschler noted.
One drill hole averaged 15,001 ppm (1.50%) boron over a length of 560 feet (171 meters), while another averaged 14,195 ppm (1.42%) boron over a length of 620 feet (189 meters).
This mineralization is believed to be extensive and open-ended in three directions, coinciding with the high-grade lithium zone and presenting the potential to generate a significant secondary revenue stream from the project, according to Rentschler.
Rentschler highlighted the emerging comparisons between Bonnie Claire’s high-grade lithium zone and Ioneer’s advanced Rhyolite Ridge lithium/boron project, which is located 110km away. Bonnie Claire's boron grades are averaging above 15,000 ppm (1.50%), compared to Rhyolite Ridge's processing stream average of 13,900 ppm (1.39%) boron.
“Given the emerging, favorable comparisons between Bonnie Claire’s high-grade lithium zone and Ioneer’s advanced Rhyolite Ridge lithium/boron project, we have decided to thoroughly examine the inclusion of boron into a recovery circuit at Bonnie Claire,” Rentschler told investors in a statement.
Additionally, the Rhyolite Ridge lithium processing stream averages 1,750 ppm lithium, while Bonnie Claire’s lower mineralized zone shows drill intercepts of up to 4,154 ppm lithium over 680 feet (207 meters).
The company has engaged Global Resource Engineering (GRE) to investigate the possibility of incorporating boron into its ongoing estimation of a new lithium mineral resource estimate. The recent drill assays have been reinforced by quantitative X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis, revealing that a significant portion of the high-grade lithium zone rock may be comprised of searlesite, a sodium borosilicate mineral.
Nevada Lithium is pursuing additional metallurgical work to assess the extraction of both lithium and boron.
The company continues to work towards publishing an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment, with further insights expected from ongoing metallurgical and resource estimation efforts.
Boron is known for its hardness, light weight, and heat resistance. Its applications span numerous industries, including electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar panels, fertilizers, and specialty glass in cell phones.
With growing demand and supply deficits, boron remains a critical material with a forecasted annual growth rate above 4%.
CEO Rentschler will discuss these developments in a live virtual event on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 12:30 pm ET / 9 am PT. Click here to register for the event.