MAXX says it used Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) to evaluate returned drill core.
I have looked around and cannot find presentation of actual LIBS results.
Maxx says it has water and solid samples at a lab for assay. I wonder if the LIBS results were unfavorable, so MAXX is not releasing them.
I'm interested in actual data, not interpretive sentences. it makes me nervous that MAXX has released only:
- summary sentences (see pargraphs below) about data collected via LIBS, and
- one photo of clayey-looking core.
I'm confused about why MAXX talks about claystone mineralogy, because they talk about using Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) to get extract lithium-containing molecules (or Li cations) from aqueous fluid.
I also don't get why they'd use LIBS, if they're planning to use DLE, LIBS seems like an expensive and unneccesary detailed log of thousands of feet of core lithology and select mineralogy.
I don't understand why you wouldn't you just take discrete or composite downhole samples of formation water, if you're planning to use DLE? below is what I found in a quick search of the public domain. if MAX presented more info at a conference, I haven't stumbled onto it.
This is from MAXX's Jan 22, 2024 news release: - "Onsite LIBS analysis (Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Z-903) of the claystones remains highly encouraging, and with respect to the brine potential there is also evidence of a strong evaporative environment in this fourth drill hole. We are continuing to step-out aggressively.
- Multiple distinct fluid sequences were encountered in WP-23-04 at depths of 32, 119, 458, 578, 668 and at 1,200 feet, within a broader lithium claystone sequence."
This is from MAXX's Jan 15, 2024 news release:
- Diamond drill hole WP-23-03, a 1,640-foot (500-meter) step-out to the south of WP-23-02 (refer to Jan. 5, 2024 news release) in the northern part of the property, intersected a predominant lithium claystone sequence from the top of the hole to the base of the hole at 1,007 feet where it ended in a fluid sequence;
- Similar to WP-23-01 and WP-23-02, multiple distinct fluid sequences were encountered in WP-23-03 at depths of 72, 328, 368, 638, 934 and 1007 feet. Notably, these non-potable liquid targets have the potential to host lithium mineralization which adds to the uniqueness of the geological setting;
- The first three vertical diamond drill holes formed a triangle measuring approximately 1,640 feet by 1,640 feet by 2,300 feet, immediately building volume potential at a property that is being diamond drilled for the first time;
- Guidance from a Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Z-903 (LIBS) portable handheld tool continues to suggest the lithium mineralization in the claystones in the three holes completed to date is significantly more intense and pervasive than the encouraging results reported by the USGS in its historic 1978 reverse circulation test drill hole completed 5 to 6 miles west of the first three MAX Power diamond drill holes;
- Claystone and brine samples have been sent to ALS Global in Tucson with initial assay results pending;
This is from an article in azomining.com, Jan 16th, 2024: "In WP-23-03, as in WP-23-01 and WP-23-02, several different fluid sequences were found at 72, 328, 368, 638, 934, and 1007 feet of depth. Interestingly, these non-potable liquid targets may host lithium mineralization, contributing to the geological setting's uniqueness;
A property that is being diamond drilled for the first time saw its volume potential immediately built when the first three vertical diamond drill holes formed a triangle that measured roughly 1,640 feet by 1,640 feet by 2,300 feet;
From the top of the hole to the base of the hole at 1,007 feet, where it ended in a fluid sequence, diamond drill hole WP-23-03, a 1,640-foot (500-m) step-out to the south of WP-23-02 in the northern part of the property, intersected a predominant lithium claystone sequence."