3rd borehole, proximal to Albemarle production wells, hits wide intercepts of lithium with very strong brine flow
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Dec. 21, 2016) - Advantage Lithium Corp.
(the "Company" or "Advantage Lithium") (TSX VENTURE:AAL) and its joint
venture partner, Nevada Sunrise Gold Corp. ("Nevada Sunrise"), are pleased to announce the best lithium brine drilling results to
date at the Clayton NE project in the Clayton Valley, Nevada. This follows successful results from the first two boreholes (see
NRs dated Nov 1st and Dec 5th, 2016). Clayton NE borders the Silver Peak mine, operated by Albemarle
Corporation ("Albemarle"), North America's only producing lithium mine. Hole CNE-16-03, drilled to a total depth of
591.3 metres (1,940 feet), has intersected multiple aquifer formations, including 387.69 metres of brine-producing strata
averaging 243.66 milligrams per litre ("mg/l") lithium from a depth of 209.23 to 596.92 metres, including a higher-grade interval
averaging 299.5 mg/l over 36.92 metres and a peak measurement of 322 mg/l.
Highlights
- Strongest Results to date. Lithium brines intercepted by 3rd drill hole at Clayton NE,
CNE-16-03, showing a peak values of 322 mg/l lithium, within 387.69 metres averaging 243.66 mg/l. These results are the
strongest to date at Clayton NE and are comparable to Albemarle's brine samples from their Silver Peak mining operation
immediately adjacent to Clayton NE.
- Potentially Untapped Aquifer. Hole CEN-16-03 is one of the deepest boreholes drilled in the Clayton Valley
and, based on results obtained, may have hit a previously untapped aquifer.
- Very Strong brine flows. Brine flows of up to 100 gallons per minute issued from borehole CNE-16-03
between 350.76 to 436.92 metres. Geochemical analysis shows this zone carries significant lithium concentrations. High brine
flows are important for economic production.
- 100% Drilling Success Rate and 3.43km mineralized brine trend: All three holes, which are located 3.43km
apart, contain significant intervals of mineralized lithium brines
- More Drilling Planned. Three more holes are already permitted and the Company plans to complete these
holes in 2017 to continue building towards a resource in Nevada.
Ross McElroy, Technical Advisor and Director, of Advantage Lithium, commented: "This is our strongest hole to date
at Clayton NE, with robust grades, strong brine flow and wide intercepts. Even more exciting is the fact that we have drilled one
of the deepest boreholes in the Clayton Valley and we may have intercepted an untapped aquifer system. Having hit with all three
holes at Clayton NE over the 3.43km mineralized brine trend, we are extremely pleased with the potential of this project, as well
as the expertise of our exploration team."
Drill Hole Technical Details
CNE16-03 was completed to a depth of 591.3 metres (1,940 feet), intersecting the base of the Clayton Valley salar
sedimentary basin at 584.62 metres. Drilling has intersected typical Clayton Valley strata consisting of alternating layers
of gravel, volcanic ash and clay. A total of 62 grab groundwater samples were collected as brine-bearing formations were
encountered. Table 1 presents a compiled summary of the depths of the aquifer systems with brine interval thickness and
associated average lithium grades and TDS concentrations. Anomalous lithium results with average concentration of 243.66
mg/l were obtained from brine-bearing formations intersected over a 387.69 metre section (from 209.23 to 596.92 metres) within
the Main Ash, Lower Aquifer System, and Lower Gravel Aquifer. The highest grade results were obtained in the Lower Aquifer
System with peaks up to 322 mg/l lithium (332.31 to 338.46 metres), and in the deeper Lower Gravel Aquifer, with peaks up to
316 mg/l (504.62 to 510.77 metres). In addition, drill cuttings were collected for each 1.5 metre interval and have been
submitted for analysis. Analytical results for the drill cuttings are pending.
Table 1: Results of Brine Samples for CNE-16-03
Drill Hole |
Aquifer
System |
Interval |
Total
Dissolved
Solids
("TDS")
mg/l |
Lithium
Range
( mg/l ) |
Lithium
Average
Grade
( mg/l ) |
From
(metres) |
To
(metres) |
Width
(metres) |
CNE-16-03 |
Main Ash |
209.23 |
246.15 |
36.92 |
72,150 to
84,970 |
114 to 130 |
124.33 |
|
Lower
Aquifer
System |
246.15 |
436.92 |
190.77 |
87,400 to
199,000 |
139 to 322 |
267.71 |
|
including |
313.85 |
350.77 |
36.92 |
137,000 to
181,000 |
279 to 322 |
*299.50 |
|
Lower
Gravel
Aquifer |
436.92 |
596.92 |
160.00 |
120,000 to
165,000 |
181 to 316 |
268.17 |
|
including |
461.54 |
526.15 |
73.85 |
126,000 to
165,000 |
268 to 316 |
295.80 |
Table 2: Results of Brine Samples for CNE-16-01 and CNE-16-02
Drill Hole |
Aquifer
System |
Interval |
Total
Dissolved
Solids
("TDS")
mg/l |
Lithium
Range
(mg/l) |
Lithium
Average
Grade
(mg/l) |
From
(metres) |
To
(metres) |
Width
(metres) |
CNE-16-01 |
Main Ash |
168.6 |
170.1 |
1.5 |
68,000 |
94.3 |
94.3 |
|
Lower
Aquifer
System A |
224.0 |
243.8 |
19.8 |
110,000 |
195 to 218 |
209.7 |
|
Lower
Aquifer
System B |
326.1 |
365.8 |
39.7 |
130,000 to
140,000 |
174 to 189 |
181.5 |
|
Lower
Gravel
Aquifer |
396.2 |
499.9 |
103.7 |
35,000 to
190,000 |
72.4 to 234 |
134.8 |
|
including |
457.2 |
481.6 |
24.4 |
58,000 to
190,000 |
72.4 to 234 |
187.5 |
CNE-16-02 |
Main Ash |
190.5 |
199.6 |
9.1 |
No Water |
|
|
|
Lower
Aquifer
System |
207.3 |
396.2 |
188.9 |
50,000 to
380,000 |
72.4 to 228 |
164.2 |
|
including |
286.5 |
396.2 |
109.7 |
140,000 to
380,000 |
151 to 227 |
202.8 |
Geochemical results for lithium are reported in mg/l rather than parts per million ("ppm") as mg/l is deemed
conventional for reporting values of dissolved metals and salts in fluids. Variances in specific gravity of fluids will influence
geochemical results if converted from mg/l to ppm. Previously reported values for holes CNE-16-01 and CNE-16-02 are now reported
in mg/l as received from the laboratory.
Regarding Sample Analysis
Groundwater grab samples were sent to Western Environmental Testing Laboratory in Reno, Nevada for analysis. General chemistry
testing included analysis for specific gravity, total hardness and alkalinity, bicarbonate, carbonate, hydroxide, TDS and
electrical conductivity. Anions (chloride, sulfate) were analyzed by ion chromatography. Trace metals (lithium, magnesium, boron,
calcium, potassium and sodium) were analyzed by ICP-OES. TDS values obtained in the field are measured with a handheld YSI Model
556 Multiparameter Meter, which meets Good Laboratory Practice (as proscribed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development) for calibration and measurement. All depth measurements reported, including sample and interval widths are
down-hole. As holes are oriented vertical and geologic stratigraphy is primarily horizontal to sub-horizontal. Downhole
measurements are assumed to be close to true thickness.
For further information on Clayton NE, including location maps, see the Company's website under "Projects-Nevada
Lithium" at: http://www.nevadasunrise.ca/projects/nevadalithium/
The technical information in this news release has reviewed and approved on behalf of the company by Ross McElroy,
P.Geol., Technical Advisor and Director for Advantage Lithium Corp., and a "Qualified Person" as defined in NI 43-101.
About Clayton NE
- Consists of 55 unpatented claims totaling approximately 1,080 acres (437 hectares);
- Clayton NE is subject to an option earn-in agreement where Advantage Lithium can earn up to a 70% interest in the Project
after fulfilling CDN$3.0 million in exploration expenditures on a package of five lithium properties optioned from Nevada
Sunrise (for further details, see Nevada Sunrise news release dated June 20, 2016);
- Nevada Sunrise is the project manager at Clayton NE on behalf of Advantage Lithium, the operator.
Further information about the company can be found at www.advantagelithium.com.
About Advantage Lithium Corp.
Advantage Lithium Corp. is a resource company specializing in the strategic acquisition, exploration and development of
lithium properties and is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. Common Shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange
under the symbol "AAL". The company has signed an LOI with lithium producer, Orocobre, to acquire 100% interest in five projects
in Argentina and up to 75% in a sixth, called Cauchari. Cauchari is host to a near-surface resource of 470,000 tonnes of lithium
carbonate equivalent (LCE) and 1.62 million tonnes of potash (KCL), and a large exploration target of 5.6mt to 0.25Mt of LCE and
19mt to 0.9 of KCL. Cauchari is located just 20 km south Orocobre's flagship Olaroz Lithium Facility. The company is also earning
an interest from Nevada Sunrise Gold Corp., in a portfolio of five lithium brine projects in the Clayton and Lida Valley regions
of Nevada, USA, including 70% in Clayton NE. In addition, the company has acquired 100% of the Stella Marys lithium brine
project, immediately adjacent to Orocobre's Salinas Grandes project that hosts an inferred, near-surface resource, in Argentina's
Lithium Triangle.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
David Sidoo, CEO, President, Director
Cautionary Statement:
Certain information contained in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information", within the meaning of Canadian
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Advantage Lithium which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may not prove to be accurate. Actual results and
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qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations. Among those factors which
could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: market conditions and other risk factors listed from time to
time in our reports filed with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date
of this press release and the Company and Advantage Lithium disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any
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