Anson Resources Ltd (ASX:ASN) has reached the target depth for the start of drilling into the priority Mississippian units with resource expansion drilling at Long Canyon No. 2 well within the Paradox Lithium Project in Utah, USA.
The target depth at the top of the Mississippian units is 2,334 metres (7,670 feet) with drilling of these units a key part of Anson’s resource expansion program at the Paradox Project.
Anson says the Mississippian brine aquifer hosts a substantial lithium-rich zone of approximately 100-250 metres in thickness, which is significantly thicker than that in Clastic 31 in the Paradox Formation.
Converting exploration target
Drilling is designed to target the Mississippian supersaturated brine aquifer in this unit, with the aim of converting the previously identified exploration target into an indicated and inferred resource.
The conceptual exploration target is 1.3 to 1.8 million tonnes of brine at a grade of 80-140ppm lithium for 104,000-252,000 tonnes of lithium and a grade of 2,000-3,000ppm bromine for 2.6-5.4 million tonnes.
To support DFS
Anson’s planned JORC resource upgrade will support a definitive feasibility study (DFS) and the development of the Paradox Project into a substantial lithium and bromine producing operation.
Leading global engineering solutions firm Worley is undertaking the DFS.
The previously sampled Clastic Zone 31 horizon has been sealed and the cast iron plugs of the abandoned well have been drilled out. This will enable access to the Mississippian units to collect brine samples for testing for lithium and other minerals.
Drilling of the Mississippian units is expected to be completed next month and drill chips through the entire units will be collected for analysis.
Brine samples will be assayed for lithium, bromine and other minerals and diamond core drilling will be conducted for porosity, specific yield and permeability which are required for the resource upgrade.
The drilling program is focused on delivering a resource upgrade at the Paradox Project and is comprised of a combined 'Eastern and 'Western' expansion strategy.
Resource expansion strategy
Anson’s resource expansion strategy is focused on:
- Increasing the existing JORC 2012 estimates vertically and horizontally at existing targets across the project area; and
- Defining resources at new claims to be added adjacent to the Paradox Lithium Project.
Current drilling at Long Canyon No.2 well along with planned upcoming drilling at Cane Creek 32-1 well allows Anson to execute the 'Eastern' component of this strategy.
The Mississippian brine aquifer has previously been intersected during historical oil exploration, but only sampled once for lithium adjacent to the project area.