Anson Resources Ltd (ASX:ASN) has initiated testing of the high-priority Mississippian units with drilling at the Long Canyon Unit 2 well as part of a resource expansion program for the Paradox Lithium Project in Utah, US.
Drilling at Long Canyon intersected the targeted dolomite and limestone units at a depth of 2,379 metres – having penetrated 45 metres into the Mississippian units – a large, supersaturated brine aquifer which hosts a wide lithium-rich zone of about 100-250 metres of thickness.
The supersaturated brine from this horizon flowed to surface naturally through the drilled well without the need for pumping, and will be used to determine brine flow rates, provide the initial bulk samples for metallurgic test work, and supply a small-scale test pilot plant in Salt Lake City.
Assay and geophysical activities
The brine samples collected from the Long Canyon Unit 2 well will now be assayed for lithium, bromine, and other minerals, to be incorporated into an upcoming JORC resource update which will in turn support a detailed feasibility study for the project.
The company has determined an exploration target for the Paradox project of between 104,000 tonnes and 252,000 tonnes of lithium and 2.6 million to 5.4 million tonnes of bromide.
In the interest of securing a similarly large resource upgrade, Anson will use downhole geophysical surveying once drilling is complete to determine rock unit parameters such as porosity and gain a better understanding of the unit’s geology.