Anson Resources Ltd (ASX:ASN) surged 62% after receiving positive results from evaporation test work on a bulk lithium brine sample from the Paradox Lithium Project in Utah, USA.
The initial bench-top tests on a bulk sample extracted from the Cane Creek 32-1 well increased the lithium concentration by 250% to 310 ppm.
Boron concentration also increased by a similar percentage while sodium and potassium concentrations reduced.
READ: Anson Resources re-opening Cane Creek well to conduct further tests
This work forms part of Anson’s plan to fast-track the Paradox project into production.
Shares are up 62% to 6 cents in late trading on strong volume of more than 30 million.
Anson’s managing director Bruce Richardson said: “The evaporation test work has provided a better understanding of the nature of the unique supersaturated multi-mineral bearing brines at the project.
"This will assist in the development of the design of production process which is underway.”
Information about brine feed
The test work will provide more information about the brine feed that can be expected from the Cane Creek well.
Bench-top evaporation test work was carried out using two separate techniques - evaporation in baths with heat lamps and vacuum evaporation.
As well as testing lithium losses during evaporation, the tests were also designed to assess the change in concentration of the minerals and also the mineral concentrations in the precipitated solids.
In-field tests to be conducted
Evaporation test work will now be carried out in bunded areas at Cane Creek 32-1 to determine if natural evaporation will provide a similar result.
The evaporation rates are known to be high in the arid desert conditions where the well is located.
This field work will also include flow rate testing over a longer period, which will provide an indication of the drawdown of the brine.
The results will provide information that can be used to determine production pipe size, location and number.
READ: Anson Resources applies for lithium drilling permit at Paradox
Richardson said: "The company remains committed to fast-tracking this project into production and will conduct natural evaporation test using ponds at the Cane Creek well in the immediate future.
“These will enable Anson to further understand these properties using the brine that was available at site from the Cane Creek well.”
Cane Creek well re-opened
The re-opening of the Cane Creek well has been completed with a work-over rig similar to that used during the sampling program.
Brines from the Clastic 29 horizon continued to flow to the surface as it did during the initial sampling program.
The well will be kept open to extract additional brine samples as required for future test work in the field and in the laboratory.