Jul 14 2017
NRG Metals Inc., is pleased to announce that it has filed an Environmental Impact Study seeking permits to conduct exploration drilling, pumping tests, and evaporative testing at the Hombre Muerto North Project, located in the Province of Salta, Argentina.
The study was completed on behalf of the Company by EC & Asociados, an ISO 9001 certified environmental consultancy based in Salta. Once permits have been obtained, the Company plans to drill up to eight diamond core holes to depths ranging from 150 to 200 m. Depending upon the results obtained from the drilling, the depth of the holes may be extended to as much as 400 m. Core holes with positive results will be followed up by larger diameter tricone holes (approximately 12 inch diameter) for pumping tests. While permitting is underway, the company will complete a geophysical survey to existing data.
The company is planning to engage a drilling contractor as soon as the permits are granted. In addition, the Company is planning to construct a pilot test pond to assess evaporative conditions and chemical features of the brine which will be used to calibrate and validate a mathematical model to size the ponds, liming and carbonation plants. NRG plans to utilize the considerable experience of its lithium team to quickly evaluate and potentially develop the Hombre Muerto North property should the economic viability and technical feasibility of the project be established by a Feasibility Study. Upon completion of permitting, the company will complete an exploration drill program, and if results warrant, further advance the project through the necessary work and studies to estimate a resource and, if a resource is delineated, determine the optimal size for any potential commercial production supported by a PEA, PFS or FS.
Jose de Castro, Chief Operating Officer is quoted,
“I am very excited with the land package we have assembled in the Hombre Muerto salar, which is the premier lithium producing salar in Argentina, and I am looking forward to advancing the project quickly.”
The Company is also pleased to announce that it has retained Montgomery and Associates of Santiago, Chile, to perform confirmation sampling at the project and complete a National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report. Twenty surface samples collected on behalf of the project vendor in 2016-2017 returned lithium values ranging from 48 to 1,064 mg/L Li, and averaged 587 mg/L Li. Magnesium to lithium ratios were low by industry standards, ranging from 1:1 to 10:1, averaging 4.6:1. The 43-101 report will provide details of the project geology and the Company’s planned drilling program.