Advantage Lithium JV Hits Best Hole to Date at Clayton NE: Total Composite 387.69 metres of 243.66 mg/l Lithium in Brines
3rd borehole, proximal to Albemarle production wells, hits wide intercepts of lithium with very strong brine flow
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Dec 21, 2016) - Advantage Lithium Corp. (the "Company" or "Advantage Lithium") (TSX VENTURE:AAL) and its joint venture partner, Nevada Sunrise Gold Corp. ("Nevada Sunrise"), are pleased to announce the best lithium brine drilling results to date at the Clayton NE project in the Clayton Valley, Nevada. This follows successful results from the first two boreholes (see NRs dated Nov 1st and Dec 5th, 2016). Clayton NE borders the Silver Peak mine, operated by Albemarle Corporation ("Albemarle"), North America's only producing lithium mine. Hole CNE-16-03, drilled to a total depth of 591.3 metres (1,940 feet), has intersected multiple aquifer formations, including 387.69 metres of brine-producing strata averaging 243.66 milligrams per litre ("mg/l") lithium from a depth of 209.23 to 596.92 metres, including a higher-grade interval averaging 299.5 mg/l over 36.92 metres and a peak measurement of 322 mg/l.
Highlights
- Strongest Results to date. Lithium brines intercepted by 3rd drill hole at Clayton NE, CNE-16-03, showing a peak values of 322 mg/l lithium, within 387.69 metres averaging 243.66 mg/l. These results are the strongest to date at Clayton NE and are comparable to Albemarle's brine samples from their Silver Peak mining operation immediately adjacent to Clayton NE.
- Potentially Untapped Aquifer. Hole CEN-16-03 is one of the deepest boreholes drilled in the Clayton Valley and, based on results obtained, may have hit a previously untapped aquifer.
- Very Strong brine flows. Brine flows of up to 100 gallons per minute issued from borehole CNE-16-03 between 350.76 to 436.92 metres. Geochemical analysis shows this zone carries significant lithium concentrations. High brine flows are important for economic production.
- 100% Drilling Success Rate and 3.43km mineralized brine trend: All three holes, which are located 3.43km apart, contain significant intervals of mineralized lithium brines
- More Drilling Planned. Three more holes are already permitted and the Company plans to complete these holes in 2017 to continue building towards a resource in Nevada.
Ross McElroy, Technical Advisor and Director, of Advantage Lithium, commented: "This is our strongest hole to date at Clayton NE, with robust grades, strong brine flow and wide intercepts. Even more exciting is the fact that we have drilled one of the deepest boreholes in the Clayton Valley and we may have intercepted an untapped aquifer system. Having hit with all three holes at Clayton NE over the 3.43km mineralized brine trend, we are extremely pleased with the potential of this project, as well as the expertise of our exploration team."
Drill Hole Technical Details
CNE16-03 was completed to a depth of 591.3 metres (1,940 feet), intersecting the base of the Clayton Valley salar sedimentary basin at 584.62 metres. Drilling has intersected typical Clayton Valley strata consisting of alternating layers of gravel, volcanic ash and clay. A total of 62 grab groundwater samples were collected as brine-bearing formations were encountered. Table 1 presents a compiled summary of the depths of the aquifer systems with brine interval thickness and associated average lithium grades and TDS concentrations. Anomalous lithium results with average concentration of 243.66 mg/l were obtained from brine-bearing formations intersected over a 387.69 metre section (from 209.23 to 596.92 metres) within the Main Ash, Lower Aquifer System, and Lower Gravel Aquifer. The highest grade results were obtained in the Lower Aquifer System with peaks up to 322 mg/l lithium (332.31 to 338.46 metres), and in the deeper Lower Gravel Aquifer, with peaks up to 316 mg/l (504.62 to 510.77 metres). In addition, drill cuttings were collected for each 1.5 metre interval and have been submitted for analysis. Analytical results for the drill cuttings are pending.
Table 1: Results of Brine Samples for CNE-16-03
Drill Hole | Aquifer System | Interval | Total Dissolved Solids ("TDS") mg/l | Lithium Range ( mg/l ) | Lithium Average Grade ( mg/l ) | ||
From (metres) | To (metres) | Width (metres) | |||||
CNE-16-03 | Main Ash | 209.23 | 246.15 | 36.92 | 72,150 to 84,970 | 114 to 130 | 124.33 |
Lower Aquifer System | 246.15 | 436.92 | 190.77 | 87,400 to 199,000 | 139 to 322 | 267.71 | |
including | 313.85 | 350.77 | 36.92 | 137,000 to 181,000 | 279 to 322 | *299.50 | |
Lower Gravel Aquifer | 436.92 | 596.92 | 160.00 | 120,000 to 165,000 | 181 to 316 | 268.17 | |
including | 461.54 | 526.15 | 73.85 | 126,000 to 165,000 | 268 to 316 | 295.80 |
Table 2: Results of Brine Samples for CNE-16-01 and CNE-16-02
Drill Hole | Aquifer System | Interval | Total Dissolved Solids ("TDS") mg/l | Lithium Range (mg/l) | Lithium Average Grade (mg/l) | ||
From (metres) | To (metres) | Width (metres) | |||||
CNE-16-01 | Main Ash | 168.6 | 170.1 | 1.5 | 68,000 | 94.3 | 94.3 |
Lower Aquifer System A | 224.0 | 243.8 | 19.8 | 110,000 | 195 to 218 | 209.7 | |
Lower Aquifer System B | 326.1 | 365.8 | 39.7 | 130,000 to 140,000 | 174 to 189 | 181.5 | |
Lower Gravel Aquifer | 396.2 | 499.9 | 103.7 | 35,000 to 190,000 | 72.4 to 234 | 134.8 | |
including | 457.2 | 481.6 | 24.4 | 58,000 to 190,000 | 72.4 to 234 | 187.5 | |
CNE-16-02 | Main Ash | 190.5 | 199.6 | 9.1 | No Water | ||
Lower Aquifer System | 207.3 | 396.2 | 188.9 | 50,000 to 380,000 | 72.4 to 228 | 164.2 | |
including | 286.5 | 396.2 | 109.7 | 140,000 to 380,000 | 151 to 227 | 202.8 |
Geochemical results for lithium are reported in mg/l rather than parts per million ("ppm") as mg/l is deemed conventional for reporting values of dissolved metals and salts in fluids. Variances in specific gravity of fluids will influence geochemical results if converted from mg/l to ppm. Previously reported values for holes CNE-16-01 and CNE-16-02 are now reported in mg/l as received from the laboratory.
Regarding Sample Analysis
Groundwater grab samples were sent to Western Environmental Testing Laboratory in Reno, Nevada for analysis. General chemistry testing included analysis for specific gravity, total hardness and alkalinity, bicarbonate, carbonate, hydroxide, TDS and electrical conductivity. Anions (chloride, sulfate) were analyzed by ion chromatography. Trace metals (lithium, magnesium, boron, calcium, potassium and sodium) were analyzed by ICP-OES. TDS values obtained in the field are measured with a handheld YSI Model 556 Multiparameter Meter, which meets Good Laboratory Practice (as proscribed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) for calibration and measurement. All depth measurements reported, including sample and interval widths are down-hole. As holes are oriented vertical and geologic stratigraphy is primarily horizontal to sub-horizontal. Downhole measurements are assumed to be close to true thickness.
For further information on Clayton NE, including location maps, see the Company's website under "Projects-Nevada Lithium" at: http://www.nevadasunrise.ca/projects/nevadalithium/
The technical information in this news release has reviewed and approved on behalf of the company by Ross McElroy, P.Geol., Technical Advisor and Director for Advantage Lithium Corp., and a "Qualified Person" as defined in NI 43-101.
About Clayton NE
- Consists of 55 unpatented claims totaling approximately 1,080 acres (437 hectares);
- Clayton NE is subject to an option earn-in agreement where Advantage Lithium can earn up to a 70% interest in the Project after fulfilling CDN$3.0 million in exploration expenditures on a package of five lithium properties optioned from Nevada Sunrise (for further details, see Nevada Sunrise news release dated June 20, 2016);
- Nevada Sunrise is the project manager at Clayton NE on behalf of Advantage Lithium, the operator.
Further information about the company can be found at www.advantagelithium.com.
About Advantage Lithium Corp.
Advantage Lithium Corp. is a resource company specializing in the strategic acquisition, exploration and development of lithium properties and is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. Common Shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "AAL". The company has signed an LOI with lithium producer, Orocobre, to acquire 100% interest in five projects in Argentina and up to 75% in a sixth, called Cauchari. Cauchari is host to a near-surface resource of 470,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) and 1.62 million tonnes of potash (KCL), and a large exploration target of 5.6mt to 0.25Mt of LCE and 19mt to 0.9 of KCL. Cauchari is located just 20 km south Orocobre's flagship Olaroz Lithium Facility. The company is also earning an interest from Nevada Sunrise Gold Corp., in a portfolio of five lithium brine projects in the Clayton and Lida Valley regions of Nevada, USA, including 70% in Clayton NE. In addition, the company has acquired 100% of the Stella Marys lithium brine project, immediately adjacent to Orocobre's Salinas Grandes project that hosts an inferred, near-surface resource, in Argentina's Lithium Triangle.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
David Sidoo, CEO, President, Director
Cautionary Statement:
Certain information contained in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information", within the meaning of Canadian legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur", "be achieved" or "has the potential to". Forward looking statements contained in this press release may include statements regarding the future operating or financial performance of Advantage Lithium which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may not prove to be accurate. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements. Such statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations. Among those factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: market conditions and other risk factors listed from time to time in our reports filed with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and the Company and Advantage Lithium disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation.
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Contact
Advantage Lithium Corp.
David Sidoo
CEO, President, Director
604.343.3760
604.683.1585
info@advantagelithium.com
www.advantagelithium.com