Sep 19 2017
Westwater Resources, Inc., an energy metals exploration and development company, is pleased to announce positive lithium shallow brine assay results from its Sal Rica Project located in western Utah. Westwater Resources collected shallow brine samples from fourteen (14) auger locations across the project area.
The resultant lithium concentrations ranged from 10 ppm (parts per million) to 100 ppm, with seven (7) samples reporting lithium concentrations in excess of 80 ppm. The results confirmed, and exceeded, previous shallow sampling efforts by both Westwater and the previous project owner, Mesa Exploration Corp. Data generated by this sampling effort will aid Westwater in the planning of deeper exploration drilling within the basin.
Christopher M. Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Westwater continues to build shareholder value in three lithium brine projects in the western United States. The positive brine sampling results at the Sal Rica Project have expanded our knowledge in preparation for a drill program.”
Sal Rica Project Sampling Program Details
The sampling program at the Sal Rica Project was designed to infill previous shallow aquifer sampling completed by Mesa Exploration Corp. The resultant combination of the new Westwater data and the existing Mesa Exploration Corp. data provide shallow aquifer lithium concentration data on approximate 1-mile centers across the entirety of the 13,260 acre project area.
Shallow aquifer samples were collected from 14 predetermined locations across the Sal Rica Project area on August 16-17, 2017. At each location, samples were collected from auger borings, 2.5 ft to 9.3 ft in depth, penetrating into the uppermost aquifer in the basin sediments. The groundwater level in each of the auger borings was allowed to equilibrate before sample collection; if necessary a temporary length of PVC casing was inserted for hole stability. The depth to groundwater was recorded in each auger hole, fluid samples were collected via mechanical bailer, and the coordinates of each location recorded. Following the sample collection process, each hole was backfilled.
Quality Assurance / Quality Control
Samples were collected in duplicate from each auger hole, with one set of samples submitted to ALS Minerals laboratory in Reno, Nevada for analysis by ICP-AES, and one set submitted to Westwater’s Kingsville, Texas laboratory for analysis by ICP-OES. Sample sets submitted to each laboratory included two field duplicates and at least one field blank. All sampling tools were cleaned between samples to prevent cross sample contamination.
ALS Minerals laboratory of Reno, Nevada maintains ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation and operates under a mature Quality Management System. Internal laboratory quality control includes both control standards and replicate sample analysis.
Comparison of data between ALS Minerals and Westwater’s internal laboratory yielded no statistically significant variances. Results reported in this news release are those from ALS Minerals.