Anson Resources Ltd (ASX:ASN) has started sampling of lithium brines at the Paradox project in the Lithium Four Corners area of the U.S. state of Utah.
Sampling started after re-entry drilling of the Gold Bar Unit 2 well reached the target depth of 7,280 feet.
The samples will be collected from four Clastic horizons know to contain supersaturated brines.
After the work over rig reached the target depth, Anson pressure tested the drill pipe, which was found to be in good condition.
READ: Anson Resources on track for lithium carbonate production
Bruce Richardson, managing director, said: “Anson remains firmly on schedule to produce its first lithium carbonate in April 2018.
“In addition to having samples to assay, the likely economics of the project can begin to be understood.
“Further metallurgical test work will also begin on the possible economics of other mineral products in addition to lithium in the brines, including boron, bromine, iodine and magnesium.
“This comes as preparations and planning begin to progress to feasibility stage.”
The drilling has supported an increase in Anson shares which reached a 12-month high of $0.31 on 12 January, almost 350% higher than a month earlier.
Shares opened at $0.225 today, up from Friday’s close of $0.215.
Deep lithium-rich brines targeted
Anson is targeting lithium-rich brines in the deepest part of the Paradox Basin in close proximity to Moab, Utah.
Lithium values of up to 1,700ppm have historically been recorded within 270 metres of Anson’s claim area.
Sampling of the supersaturated brines will be supervised by SRK Consulting and samples will be sent to a certified laboratory in Nevada for assaying.
SRK’s technical team has been engaged in lithium-potassium brine projects in U.S, Australia, Chile and Argentina since 2008.
Flow rates of the brine aquifer will be measured for future modelling.
Bulk sample will be collected
A bulk sample will also be collected for processing in a bench top plant to validate earlier test work on a synthetic brine.
This work showed that lithium carbonate and other products were expected to be able to be produced from the brine.
Anson plans in-field pilot plant
After first production, results from the bench-top pilot plant will be used to design an in-field pilot plant, including the extraction of lithium and other minerals from Paradox Basin brines.
The in-field plant is intended to validate the process designed and tested in the laboratory scale bench-top plant, and is not intended to be a production plant.
Anson then plans to progress to further drilling, feasibility study and ultimately full-scale production.
READ: Anson Resources secures additional funding from Zhongfan Group
The exploration and test work is being supported by Zhongfan Group, a private, large-scale international enterprise group based in Shanghai, China, that integrates resource development, mineral trading and new material technology development.
Zhongfan and Anson have a memorandum of understanding to work towards a binding agreement for Zhongfan to fund development works at the Paradox project.