Galan Lithium Limited (ASX: GLN) has received what it says are even better than expected results with the compilation of the maiden JORC compliant Mineral Resource estimate for the Candelas lithium brine project Catamarca province, Argentina.
The resource estimate was completed by independent consultants SRK (Australia) recored an indicated mineral resource estimate for the higher grade Candelas North zone is 684,850 tonnes of contained lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) product grading at 672mg/l Li (at 500mg/l Li cut off).
Galan’s Managing Director Juan Pablo Vargas de la Vega said the resource represents one of the highest grade/ low impurity resources within Argentina.
“We are delighted to deliver a JORC compliant maiden Resource estimate resulting in an approximate 685,000 tonnes of LCE product within the Candelas project area,” Mr de la Vega said.
“This indicated resource forms a solid basis for the upcoming Pre-Feasibility Study and has exceeded the company’s expectations, further validating the high-grade, low impurity nature of the Candelas project and our strategy to fast-track Candelas towards commercial development.
“With further drilling, we are confident of delivering future upgrades to this resource and I look forward to updating investors on our progress across our tenement holdings.”
The mineral resource estimation was based upon results from a total of eightholes drilled in the North and Central Zones of its tenement holding at Candelas for a total of 3,537 metres total length.
According to SRK, the maiden Candelas Mineral Resource represents geologically well-defined zones of low to high-grade lithium mineralisation. It comprises three main mineralised hydrogeologic domains spread over two zones. The units within the domains show some variation in thickness along strike and depth.
The company said additional lower grade resources have been identified at the Candelas North and Candelas Central Zones, while exceptional maiden drill results from the Western Tenements indicate potential for further additional resources.
Further work is now planned to better define mineral resources will include further drilling within the Central Zone to provide better geological definition and mineralisation potential of the aquifers.
Additionally, initial works will commence leading into a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) which will include base hydrogeological modelling and the investigation of various processing technologies with a focus on traditional evaporation ponds as a precursor to processing.
