ION Energy Limited has revealed that its lithium exploration programs in Mongola have advanced following site visits to its Baavhai Uul and Urgakh Naran projects in late April, as the company awaits the results from brine collected and core samples.
The company said its flagship Baavhai Uul project has shown about 25% lithium anomalies to date, with further drilling results pending.
Results from core brine sampling at Urgakh Naran are also expected in the coming weeks.
READ: ION Energy kicks off site visit with CEO Ali Haji and technical advisors at its Mongolian lithium operations
This sampling was collected from the surface, with five of eight transient electromagnetic lines completed, the company said in a statement.
A total of 53 auger holes, to depths of 12 metres (m), 2m after the water table or basement depending on which was arrived at first, are being sampled every 2m and are bailed a minimum of twice 24 hours after being drilled before brine samples are collected.
ION CEO Ali Haji said the site visits further reinforced the potential of the company’s highly prospective, world-class assets in Mongolia.
“We are encouraged by the prospect of Baavhai Uul’s pending additional drilling results and Urgakh Naran’s current sampling,” Haji said.
ION technical advisor Mark King said he observed the geology and morphology for the Urgakh Naran site to be highly prospective “with some parallels to Nevada playa basins and South American salars.”
“It was heartening to see some artisanal salt harvesting in the surface evaporite layers, contained in the low-lying dry ponds and lakes: a good indication of brine presence,” he said.
ION Energy is exploring and developing Mongolia’s lithium salars as the company positions itself to be a leader in clean energy amid a global rise in demand for lithium.
Contact Emily at emily.jarvie@proactiveinvestors.com
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