In addition to the recent groundwater sampling event, Westwater has also completed new geophysical interpretations of the Sal Rica Project area. This data is being integrated into a conceptual model of the exploration target, and will guide the ongoing planning of a drilling and hydrogeologic characterization program to further expand and define the shallow, lithium bearing, brine aquifer. So far, this work has outlined a strong lithium brine anomaly that covers an area of over twenty (20) square miles, with lithium values up to 100 ppm, all at shallow depths.
Westwater has commenced the permitting process with the BLM, and the State of Utah, to field an exploration program that optimizes project access and limits environmental disturbance, minimizes cost, and maximizes overall data quality.
A map accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0ab4ebed-9f09-4a11-9a24-1914829f19f7
Columbus Basin Exploration Drilling
Exploration drilling at Columbus Basin commenced in late July 2017, and was completed in late October 2017. A total of three exploration drill holes were completed by a combination of core and mud rotary drilling methods. Total drill footage for the program was 3,870 ft., with a maximum drilled depth of 1,680 ft. in drill hole CB-004. Sampling included drill core, drill cuttings, groundwater grab samples, and samples of artesian groundwater flow. Groundwater samples were screened in the field for temperature, pH, conductivity, salinity, and TDS. All field work and sampling were overseen by Matt Hartmann, Director – Technical Services for Westwater.
Analysis of Columbus Basin groundwater samples leveraged Westwater’s in-house analytical laboratory in Kingsville, Texas. All groundwater samples were collected in duplicate with one sample immediately shipped to Westwater’s laboratory for quick-turn analysis. The second sample was held in secure storage for potential confirmatory sampling by an independent laboratory. A total of 22 groundwater samples were analyzed, with no samples exceeding the 50 ppm lithium concentration necessary to justify confirmatory independent analysis. The highest lithium concentration measured from samples collected during the exploration program was 43 ppm in drill hole CB-002 in a groundwater inflow grab sample collected at a depth of approximately 50 ft. (sample no. CBB-010). The same sample, CBB-010, had the highest concentration of boron at 173 ppm.
Groundwater analysis at Westwater’s Kingsville, Texas is completed by ICP-OES. Previous multi-element analysis of groundwater by Westwater, and confirmed by independent laboratory, has yielded excellent correlation. All analytical data presented in this new release was generated by the Westwater’s laboratory, and as discussed above, was not confirmed by an independent laboratory.