WorldWide Drilling Resource

The Search for Lithium Resources Continues Adapted from Information by MGX Minerals Inc. and Belmont Resources Inc. Will the U.S. soon have a second lithium producer? It’s beginning to look that way. According to an announcment from MGX Minerals Inc., drilling has begun at its Kibby Basin, Nevada, lithium brine property. The company selected to do the drilling was Harris Exploration Drilling & Associates Inc., a company with vast experience drilling in the Clayton Valley lithium brines. Clayton Valley is currently home to Abermarle’s Silver Peak Mine, the only U.S. lithium producer, which is located only about 30 miles south of the Kibby Basin. Earlier, geothermal research by the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology (NvBMG) identified three wells and springs in the area. All three sources indicated near-surface water. Nevada is known for its abundant geothermal resources, and NvBMG has outlined areas with potential heat flow, based on surface tempera- tures of springs, borehole water temperatures, geothermal-related geochemical signatures, and associated geologic settings. These areas suggest zones of potential elevated heat flow. Geologic research of Kibby Basin has indicated proximal rhyolitic flows and tuffs surrounding the basin could be a potential source of lithium brine in the Kibby Basin Playa. Regional geophysical signa- tures in the area revealed similar anomalies to that of Clayton Valley. In January, a Quantec MT (magnetotelluric) geophysical survey was completed and eight drill targets were selected based on the results. The proposed sites will take a closer look at a large MT conductor which may represent aquifers containing lithium brines. The goal of the exploration drilling project is to determine the nature of the con- ductor, collect sediment samples for lithium analyses, identify aquifers, and sample the water and brines they encounter along the way. The boreholes have been designed to intercept the MT anomaly starting at depths of 1065 feet and continue to as deep as 2500 feet. Drill samples will be collected continuously in ten-foot intervals and analyzed for lithium and other elements. Water samples, collected periodically as the hole pro- gresses, will also be analyzed. Additionally, downhole geophysical logging will be con- ducted to help identify permeable / aquifer zones and zones of conductivity. Aquifer water will be sampled using downhole packers to isolate aquifer intervals. MGX partnered with Belmont Resources on the property located in the western por- tion of the Great Basin in Nevada. The 50/50 joint venture will utilize MGX’s unique lithium extraction methods. MGX’s rapid lithium extraction technology eliminates or greatly reduces the physical footprint and investment in large, multiphase, lake-sized, lined evapora- tion ponds. It also enhances the quality of extraction and recovery across a complex range of brines as compared with traditional solar evaporation. This technology can al so be used wi th petrolithium (gas and oil wastewater), natural brine, and other brine sources such as lithium-rich mine and industrial plant wastewater. This technology was recently cho- sen as winner of the Base and Specialty Metals Industry Leadership Award at the 2018 S&P Global Platts Global Metals Awards, in London. Editor’s Note: In between our print issues, the WWDR Team prepares an electronic newsletter called E-News Flash . Based on readership, this was the most popular E-News Flash article of the month. Get in on the action and subscribe today at: www.worldwidedrillingresource.com This company provides outstanding service! (503) 682-1001 rockmore-intl.com Rockmore International 48 OCTOBER 2018 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Harris Drilling is using a rotary drill for the Kibby Basin project. Photo courtesy of Belmont Resources Inc.