Anson Resources Ltd (ASX:ASN) has completed a successful sampling program at the Cane Creek 32-1-25-20 well.
This is the second stage of Anson’s program at the Paradox Lithium Project in the US state of Utah.
Managing director Bruce Richardson said: “It is very pleasing to see that Anson has been able to successfully achieve a sampling program of this well only a few weeks after it was acquired.
“Even more pleasing was to see Clastic Zone 29 artesian flow with characteristics similar to those of Long Canyon with high pressure and temperature.”
Pressure at zone 29 is a good sign
Sampling was carried out on Clastic Zones 17, 19, 29, 31 and 33 and bulk samples collected.
The artesian flow from Clastic Zone 29 is a significant development and confirms that some clastic zones are under extreme pressure.
The flow rate of the brine from that zone was tested and found to be 25 gallons per minute (gpm).
Flow rates continued to increase with time over a 6-hour period when the horizon was plugged.
This is significant because it would reduce operating costs if it continued to flow during production.
Sample from zone 29 may be suitable for processing
Bulk samples were collected from all zones with 2,000 litres collected from Clastic Zone 29.
Depending upon the assay result this sample is suitable to be processed in a bench-top plant to validate earlier test work on a synthetic brine.
This showed that lithium carbonate and other products were expected to be able to be produced from the supersaturated brine.
The results of the bench-top processing will be used in the design of an infield pilot plant, to further validate that lithium and other minerals can be extracted from the brine.
Comparisons are being drawn with the nearby prolific Long Canyon 1 well and interestingly temperatures from zone 29 appeared to be broadly in line with those at Long Canyon.