Rodinia Lithium Inc. is pleased to report that it continues to intersect high-grade lithium and potash in its reverse circulation drilling exploration program on its Salar de Diablillos lithium-brine project in Salta, Argentina ("Diablillos" or the "Salar"). The Company remains encouraged by the results of the exploration program and reinforces its belief that the project has the potential to become a lithium, potash and boric acid producer in the near future.
William Randall, President and CEO of Rodinia, commented "the fact that we are routinely intersecting artesian conditions containing high grade lithium values is, in our opinion, extremely positive. We believe that these results indicate that the subsurface brines are spouting to surface and increasing in salinity and density as they continue to flow. This is a rare phenomenon which may add significant value to the project. Equally exciting is the fact that we intersected these brines in the southern portion of the basin where, based on our auger drilling, we expected lower grade brines due to the proximity of the river. In our opinion these results indicate the potential for the majority of the basin to contain lithium rich brines."
Results from the most recent five drill holes are summarized in Table 1. All the holes reported in this press release are open at depth and in all directions, bound only by the basin limits. The reverse circulation drill holes were drilled vertically to ensure proper representation of the stratigraphic column. As in the previous drill holes the distribution of lithium concentrations over the hole are remarkably even, suggesting that our entire stratigraphic column below the near surface clays represents a single aquifer, composed primarily of sands and gravels. The clay content in all holes drilled to date has been low to negligible.
Asampling procedure was enforced by management to ensure sample integrity during the drill program. Where possible, brine and sediments samples were air lifted, and water restricted to the upper part of the hole before the water table was intercepted. Once brine bearing horizons were intercepted, drilling was halted and the drilling pipe lifted 2 feet or more to allow the total flushing of the internal pipe by means of air pressure for approximately ten minutes or until the brine appeared reasonably clean of sediment. After sufficient air lifting of the brine, a sample was collected in 500 ml sample bottles that had been washed three times with the brine. Liquid was also collected in five gallon buckets and the time of filling of the bucket recorded, in order to aid in quantifying the formational flow.
The project is supervised by Ray Spanjers, Rodinia’s Manager of Exploration. Mr Spanjers is considered a qualified person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this release. According to the Company’s sampling protocol, sample size is to exceed 500 millilitres and be stored in clean, secure containers for transportation. The prepared samples are then forwarded to the ALS Laboratory Group, Environmental Division, in Fort Collins, Co (USA) for analysis. A rigorous QA/QC program is implemented consisting of regular insertion of standards and blanks to ensure laboratory integrity.
Rodinia Lithium Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company with a primary focus on lithium exploration and development in North and South America. The Company is positioned to capitalize on the expected increase in demand for lithium carbonate that is projected to result from the anticipated paradigm shift to mass adoption and use of key lithium applications like lithium-ion batteries as well as glass ceramics, greases, pharmaceuticals etc.
Rodinia is currently exploring its Clayton Valley project in Nevada, USA, which surrounds the only lithium-brine producer in North America, and its Salar de Diablillos project in Salta, Argentina.
