Anson Resources Ltd (ASX:ASN) has staked additional claims prospective for lithium at its Paradox project in the US state of Utah, increasing the total number of claims by 33%.
The 334 new placer claims staked by Anson’s Utah-based subsidiary A1 Lithium total 2,640 hectares and surround the company’s Cane Creek well and industrial lease.
They create a large-scale prospective and contiguous land package for lithium-rich brines of 11,373 hectares covering a large area of the Central Paradox Basin.
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Anson’s managing director Bruce Richardson said, “The staking of this additional prospective ground is part of Anson’s strategic plan to fast-track the lithium project, particularly in the Long Canyon area which contains several recorded lithium values.
“We are extremely pleased to have been successful in locating these claims as it is expected that they will provide additional supersaturated brines for future processing and further improve the economic viability of the Paradox Brine Project.”
Land surrounds Cane Creek 32-1 well
The parcel of claims surrounds the Cane Creek 32-1 well where artesian flow of brine has occurred during a recent Anson sampling program.
Plan showing the claims and CZ 31 depth contours in the Central Paradox Basin.
This is also the area where an industrial lease has been submitted for future production.
In addition, the claims surround the Long Canyon No 1 and White Cloud No 2 wells where historical assays recorded high lithium values.
Seven historical oil wells are on the new claims, some close to the Long Canyon No 1 and White Cloud No 2 wells as well as Robert’s Rupture and cross-cutting structures.
These structures are geologically interpreted to be causing high pressure resulting in the artesian flow of the brine to surface.
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The seven wells are prospective for re-entry for sampling and are being considered as part of a future exploration program aimed at defining a JORC resource.
In addition, the new claims have recent wells on them which could also be used for sampling programs or at a later date, production wells.
Access to these areas is provided by existing roads which pass through the claims.
The roads are well maintained and the tracks will require little upgrading, thereby enabling an exploration program to begin once government approvals have been granted.
Anson aims to complete a lithium resource estimate for the Paradox project by the end of 2018.