Alpha Lithium Corporation (TSX.V: ALLI) (OTC: APHLF) (Germany WKN:
A3CUW1) (“Alpha” or the “Company”) is pleased to report a maiden –
but preliminary – lithium (“Li”) and potassium (“K”) resource
statement for its Tolillar brine project in the Salta province of
Argentina. The resource estimate detailed in Table 1 below includes
2,119,000 tonnes of indicated, and 1,158,000 tonnes of inferred,
lithium carbonate (“Li2CO3”) equivalent (“LCE”). The resource
estimate also includes 7,387,000 tonnes of potassium equivalent
(“KCl”) in the indicated category and a further 4,786,000 tonnes
of KCl in the inferred category.
The Company has not included any of its Hombre
Muerto assets in this resource estimate.
The resource is labeled “preliminary” for
several reasons as outlined below, and Montgomery & Associates
(“M&A”) who prepared the independent resource estimate, noted
that additional resource is expected to be added in the future:
- Only 9,000 (33%)
of the 27,500-hectare site has been explored,
- The resource
does not include results from two wells that were drilled,
completed, flow-tested and sampled; however, results have not been
received back from the lab,
- M&A has
recommended drilling additional wells for the purposes of adding
additional resource and at increased lithium concentrations,
- Lower bound
lithium grades were used for two wells, which lowered the overall
average lithium concentration, as finalized lab test results have
not yet been received from the laboratory.
Brad Nichol, President, and CEO of Alpha,
commented, “We are very excited to see a robust NI 43-101 resource
estimate from our hydrogeological consultants. We expect to expand
this resource by drilling (i) deeper, as we haven’t reached
basement rock, (ii) laterally, as we have not drilled anywhere near
the extents of the salar, and (iii) through increased lithium
grades, as we continually improve our understanding of the salar’s
hydrodynamics. Importantly, the Company now has a strong,
albeit preliminary, resource estimate in place that will allow us
to proceed with our planned Economic Assessment. Since closing
the recent bought deal financing and increasing our cash reserves
to over $45 million, we are confidently advancing Tolillar to the
next level.”
Table 1. Tolillar Brine Resource
Statement
ResourceCategory |
BrineVolume(m3) |
Avg.Li(mg/l) |
In situ Li(tonnes)* |
Li2CO3Equivalent(tonnes*) |
Avg.K(mg/l) |
In situ K(tonnes)* |
KCl Equivalent(tonnes)* |
Indicated |
1.6 billion |
242 |
398,000 |
2,119,000 |
2,315 |
3,873,000 |
7,387,000 |
Inferred |
1.1 billion |
191 |
218,000 |
1,158,000 |
2,201 |
2,510,000 |
4,786,000 |
*Tonnages are rounded to the nearest thousandThe reader is
cautioned that mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do
not have demonstrated economic viability.
The resource estimate was prepared in accordance
with the guidelines of National Instrument 43-101 and uses best
practice methods specific to brine resources, including a reliance
on sampling methods that yield depth-specific chemistry and
effective (drainable) porosity measurements. The resource
estimation was completed by independent qualified person Mr.
Michael Rosko, M.Sc., C.P.G. of the international hydrogeology firm
E.L. Montgomery & Associates.
The resource is defined over a 90.58 km2
footprint using results from depth-specific packer sampling. In
addition, the brine was sampled during short-term pumping tests and
from naturally flowing wells. The indicated and inferred resource
was derived from wells drilled to depths up to 400 meters, without
reaching bedrock. Geophysical surveys were used to assist with
location and anticipated depths for all holes, but also to identify
potential for increased grades at-depth, freshwater values, and to
extend the inferred resource, to be included in future drilling to
even greater depths and potential for increased resource estimates.
Over most of the basin, the brine resource occurs to within one
metre of surface and its thickness is defined by the extent of
drilling.
The maximum depth drilled was 400 metres near
the north of the mining concessions. The deepest brine sample was
obtained at a depth of 349 metres with a lithium concentration of
345 mg/L.
The chemistry of Tolillar brine is judged to be
very favourable. Results of more recently drilled wells are
continuously better than originally drilled wells, a fact that may
be lost in averaging values.
The total contained lithium and potassium values
are based on measurements of effective (drainable) porosity
distributed throughout the aquifer volume that defines this
resource. This method of porosity determination is designed to
estimate the portion of the total porosity that can theoretically
be drained; however, these in-situ estimates may differ from total
extractable quantities. The porosity of the resource volume varies
with geology, but to-date effective porosity has been
predictable within distinct hydrostratigraphic units.
The Company has also discovered a potentially
significant fresh water source adjacent to Tolillar Salar and is
planning additional exploration during the next several months to
confirm this fresh water resource.
Resource Estimation Methodology
A total of 3,083 metres of drilling from 11
holes was evaluated for this resource estimate calculation; other
core holes and wells were drilled but were shallower. The total
thickness of the basin, and the total thickness of
saturated sediments, is unknown.
The consultants chose to estimate the resource
using a drill-hole centered polygonal technique.
Hydrostratigraphic units have variable thickness and were
determined by the consultants based on observed lithology and
anticipated similar hydraulic properties. The values for drainable
porosity and grade (lithium and potassium values) for each
hydrostratigraphic unit were derived from direct measured
values from the well. The unit thicknesses combined with the areas
yield a volume. The volumes combined with the drainable porosity
values, representing the amount of fluid available from the
formation yield the tonnage of brine. Applying the grade,
represented as lithium carbonate and potassium chloride equivalents
then provides the estimated resource for each block,
which are then summed.
The primary analytical laboratories for the data
used in this resource are Alex Stewart in Mendoza, Argentina and
SGS Laboratory in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Both laboratories are
accredited to ISO 9001:2008 and ISO14001:2004 for their geochemical
and environmental labs for the preparation and analysis of numerous
sample types, including brines.
Qualified Person
The resource estimate was completed by Mr.
Michael Rosko, M.Sc., C.P.G. of Montgomery and Associates
Consultores Limitada (“M&A”). Mr. Rosko is a Registered
Geologist (C.P.G.) in Arizona, California, and Texas, a Registered
Member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, and
is a qualified person (QP) as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Rosko and
hydrogeologists from M&A have been on site multiple times
during the various phases of drilling and sampling operations; Mr.
Rosko has extensive experience in salar environments and
has been a QP on many lithium brine projects. Mr. Rosko and M&A
are completely independent of Alpha Lithium. Mr. Rosko has reviewed
and approved the content of this news release, and has verified the
data disclosed herein, including sampling, analytical, and test
data underlying the information contained herein.
Program design and exploration
support was provided by Dr. Rodolfo Fernando Garcia
Maurizzio, (PhD. Geology) of Alpha Lithium. Dr. Garcia is a
Certified Professional Geologist (CPG). Dr. Garcia has spent
significant time on site at Tolillar during all drilling and
sampling operations; and has extensive experience with lithium
projects at other lithium bearing salars in Argentina and
several other countries in South America.
A Technical Report prepared under the guidelines
of NI 43-101 standards describing the resource estimation will be
filed on SEDAR within 45 days of this release.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF ALPHA LITHIUM
CORPORATION
“Brad Nichol”
Brad NicholPresident, CEO and Director
For more information:Alpha
Lithium Investor Relations Tel: +1 844 592
6337relations@alphalithium.comwww.alphalithium.com
About Alpha Lithium (TSX.V: ALLI) (OTC: APHLF) (Germany
WKN: A3CUW1)
Alpha Lithium is a team of industry
professionals and experienced stakeholders focused on the
development of the Tolillar and Hombre Muerto Salars. In Tolillar,
we have assembled 100% ownership of what may be one of Argentina’s
last undeveloped lithium salars, encompassing 27,500 hectares
(67,954 acres), neighboring multi-billion-dollar lithium players in
the heart of the renowned “Lithium Triangle”. In Hombre Muerto, we
continue to expand our 5,000+ hectare (12,570 acres) foothold in
one of the world’s highest quality, longest producing, lithium
salars. Other companies in the area exploring for lithium brines or
currently in production include Orocobre Limited, Galaxy Lithium,
Livent Corporation, and POSCO in Salar del Hombre Muerto; Orocobre
in Salar Olaroz; Eramine SudAmerica S.A. in Salar de Centenario;
and Gangfeng and Lithium Americas in Salar de Cauchari.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking
statements and other statements that are not historical facts.
Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as
"will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar
expressions. All statements other than statements of historical
fact, included in this news release are forward-looking statements
that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance
that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results
and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in
such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from the Company's expectations include the
results of further brine process testing and exploration and other
risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company
with securities regulators. The reader is cautioned that
assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking
information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may
cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as
a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and
other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company.
The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any
forward-looking information. Such information, although considered
reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to
be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those
anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news
release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The
forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made
as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or
revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as
expressly required by applicable law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its
Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No securities regulatory
authority has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy
or accuracy of the content of this news release.
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