QX Resources (ASX: QXR) hits ‘brine aquifers’ in second hole at US lithium project - Kalkine Media

Highlights

• Drillhole 2 at the Liberty Lithium project has hit multiple brine aquifers at 90m – 295m.
• Brine sampling and geophysics of this hole are underway.
• In mid-February, results and interpretations are expected from drillhole 1.
• Drillhole 2 results are expected in late March.

Shares of battery minerals explorer QX Resources Limited (ASX: QXR) jumped 16.67% during the early morning trading hours on 8 February 2024, as the company reported an encouraging update on the Liberty Lithium brine project, California, the US.

Drillhole 2, part of a two-hole diamond drill program, has been finalised at a depth of 443m, intersecting multiple brine aquifers between 90m and 295m. 

Brine sampling and downhole geophysics are progressing in the drillhole 2. Packer sampling was employed for sampling specific aquifers and intervals were determined from the downhole geophysical and geological logs.

In the coming weeks, lithium assays are anticipated with interpretations from drill hole 1 while drillhole 2 assays are expected in late March 2024.

Intersecting numerous brine aquifers is ‘very encouraging’

The second vertical diamond drill hole intersected numerous brine aquifers with different width, varying from few metres to 10m. The brine aquifers were intersected at 90m, 130m, 210m, 245m, and 295m. Moreover, running sands were intersected at these same levels. Running sands are favourable for brine aquifers.

Increased salinity points towards a favourable zone from 210m to 270m.

Fine grained sediments with sandy layers were prevalent from the hole’s top to 205m depth with gravels, conglomerates, and coarse alluvial fan material below this to the base of the hole. The geology intersected resembles the producing sequence of Albemarle’s nearby Silver Peak lithium brine producer in Clayton Valley, pointing towards the expected target sequence.

The second hole is planned to be cased with slotted casing in favourable aquifers to make ways for further sampling and monitoring. Large brine sample volumes of around 20,000 litres, would be pumped and stored.

Bulk volumes of brines will be sent to various direct lithium extraction (DLE) providers for analysis and testwork.

Drilling at the first drillhole

Data source: Company update

In late December 2023, the first drillhole was completed at a depth of 369m and target horizons were intersected at 49m and 329m depth. Fine grained sediments, gravels and coarse alluvial fan material were observed down the hole’s length.

Drillhole 2 lies 4km from the drillhole 1, and both holes centred over significant MT geophysical targets which are interpreted as inferring a series of conductive brine bearing aquifers at depth.

The two holes are positioned within an extensive lithium brine surface anomaly of over 10km defined in auger samples.

QXR shares traded at AU$0.024 apiece at the time of writing on 8 February 2024.