Posted in | News | Lithium | Mining Business

Bacanora Mobilizes Second Drilling Rig, Offers Update on Sonora Lithium Project Drilling Program

BACANORA MINERALS LTD. ("Bacanora" or the "Company"), the London and Canadian listed lithium and borates company focused on Mexico, is pleased to announce that it has mobilized a second drilling rig to site and also provides an update on the drilling program currently being undertaken as part of the pre-feasibility study ("PFS") at its Sonora Lithium Project1 in Mexico.

Bacanora has now completed nine holes (totaling 1,850 metres) of the currently planned 18 hole drilling program (approximately 4,000 metres). As a result of the Company's recent agreement with Tesla Motors, a second rig has been mobilized to site to increase the speed of drilling, with the intention to complete the remaining holes in September 2015.

Analyses received from the first four holes from the Fleur concession indicate that weighted averages for lithium content in the Upper Clay is 1,862 ppm Li over 24.15 metres in thickness and the Lower Clay averages 4,871 ppm Li over 24.15 metres. The thickness in metres and grades of the significant lithium intersections are shown in Table 1 as follows:

1 The Sonora Lithium Project is comprised of the following lithium properties: La Ventana lithium concession, which is 100 percent owned by Bacanora; El Sauz and Fleur concessions, which are held by Mexilit S.A. de C.V. ("Mexilit"); and the Megalit concession, which is held by Megalit S.A de C.V ("Megalit"). Mexilit and Megalit are owned 70 percent by Bacanora and 30 percent by Rare Earth Minerals, plc.

TABLE 1: Significant Lithium drilling intersections - Sonora Lithium Project (Fleur Concession)

Drill hole Upper Clay (m) Li
(ppm)
%LCE* Lower Clay (m) Li (ppm) %LCE*
ES-44 31.01 2,127 1.13 15.54 5,032 2.68
ES-45 N/D Nil Nil 14.17 4,503 2.4
ES-46 24.74 1,918 1.02 15.98 4,605 2.45
ES-47 16.71 1,287 0.69 25.53 5,145 2.74

Note: N/D means not detected

* LCE = lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) Equivalent: determined by multiplying Li value in percent by 5.324 to get an equivalent Li2CO3 value in percent. Use of LCE is to provide data comparable with industry reports and assumes complete conversion of lithium in clays with no recovery or process losses.

The program is primarily focused on significantly increasing the Indicated Mineral Resources within the Sonora Lithium Project, as well as testing whether the high grades and near surface mineralisation identified at the La Ventana concession continue into the northern area of the Fleur concession, which immediately adjoins La Ventana to the south. The Company's resource was recently updated by SRK Consulting (UK) Limited ("SRK") to:

  • Indicated resources of 1.14 million tonnes ("Mt") lithium carbonate equivalent ("LCE") contained in 95Mt of clay, at lithium ("Li") grade of 2,200 ppm
  • Inferred resources of 6.3Mt LCE contained in 500 Mt of clay at a Li grade of 2,300 ppm

For further details, investors are encouraged to reference the Company's press releases dated May 13 and June 26, 2015 and/or the SRK's report that was filed on May 13, 2015 and is accessible on the Company's website.

Upon completion of the drill program and assaying, SRK will deliver an updated resource model for mine design purposes, with an initial focus on the higher grade, open pit resources on the La Ventana and Fleur concessions.

Peter Secker, CEO of Bacanora, commented, "Drilling is progressing very positively and with a second rig about to arrive on site, we expect to complete this program rapidly. This campaign will form a critical component of our pre-feasibility study and it is our hope and expectation that, upon completion of drilling, we will have sufficient data to update and upgrade our resources to advance the mine design."

The pre-feasibility study ("PFS") for the Sonora Lithium Project in Mexico is ongoing, with metallurgical testwork, mine design and process engineering proceeding according to schedule and due to be reported in Q1, 2016.

Martin Vidal is the Qualified Person pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and the AIM Note for Mining and Oil and Gas Companies who has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release.

Tell Us What You Think

Do you have a review, update or anything you would like to add to this news story?

Leave your feedback
Your comment type
Submit

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.