Anson Resources Ltd (ASX:ASN) has quickly identified brine inflow while drilling the top of the Mississippian layers in Long Canyon Unit #2 well at the Paradox Lithium Project in Utah.
Brine samples from the Long Canyon #2 Well will now be assayed and the Mississippian units will be sent off petrological analysis.
While the company continues to drill into the up to 120-metre-thick Mississippian units, samples have been taken from the supersaturated brine for testing for lithium and other minerals from the top of the Mississippian units at a depth of 2,345 metres.
Additional samples will also be taken for analysis.
Brine from the top of the Mississippian units.
Sampling change
Anson is sampling any significant brine inflow or change in 'drilling mud' character, eg weight, during this initial phase of drilling the Mississippian units.
As it is a combination of supersaturated brine and drilling mud, it will not be a clear sample thus the lithium value will be diluted.
Anson will determine how long it takes for the drill cuttings to return to the surface from depth and will then collect samples over 10 feet intervals and record the depths.
These cuttings will be sent for petrological examination, which includes mineral paragenesis and detailed photomicrographs. The examination of the cuttings can provide an indication of the porosity and permeability, and the type of porosity.
The Mississippian limestones and dolomites (Leadville and Maddison Formations) range in thickness from 70 to 250 metres in the project area. The wells drilled into these rock units in the project area have all intersected brines. These porous units are promising because of the probable large reservoir size.