TSX Venture Exchange Symbol: AAL
Continued Positive NW Sector Results - Hole CAU18
VANCOUVER, April 9, 2018 /CNW/ - Advantage Lithium Corp.
(the "Company" or "Advantage Lithium") (TSX Venture: AAL) (OTCQX: AVLIF) is pleased to provide an update on project
developments at the Cauchari JV, including recent results received on the brine sampling of diamond core hole CAU18 in the
NW Sector.
CAU18 Highlights:
- Diamond core hole CAU18 was drilled to a depth of 359 m and intersected extensive sand
dominated units, confirming the positive porosity and permeability conditions of the NW Sector extending north from CAU07,
CAU16 and CAU15
-
- For context, recent pump-tests at hole CAU07, which intersected extensive sandy sediments, suggested flow rates of up
to 36 l/s may be possible
- Results of nine brine analyses of CAU18 have been received for the interval from 165 m to
320 m depth which consists of sand and halite dominated units
- The nine CAU18 brine analyses averaged 476 mg/l Lithium and 3,727 mg/l Potassium from 165-320 m depth
- Average Mg/Li ratio of 2.5:1, very similar to the nearby hole CAU07 (2.3:1) and the producing Olaroz brine project
resource (2.4:1) - very positive for utilisation of conventional or other brine processes
President & CEO Mr. David Sidoo commented: "CAU18 in the NW Sector confirms the
extension of brine to the northern property boundary with Sales de Jujuy (Orocobre), intersecting sandy sediments and gravel
indicating positive extraction characteristics in this area. The Mg/Li ratio is similar to that found across the Olaroz-Cauchari
basin, which is very favourable for brine processing. With upcoming results from holes CAU17 and CAU14 the company will update
the project resource estimate, to be followed by a PEA on what is Argentina's only brownfields
lithium project."
NW SECTOR - CAU18 Drilling Results
CAU18 was drilled and cased through the upper gravel and sandy gravel units of the Archibarca alluvial Fan to a depth of
130 m. CAU18 was continued as a diamond core hole from 130 m to a
total depth of 359 m. Sand dominated and halite dominated units were encountered from 130 m to 260 m depth. The interval between 260 m
and 359 m intersected mostly clay and silt dominated units. Brine assays were received from 9
bailed samples over a depth range from 165-320 m, returning an average of 476 mg/l Lithium
and 3,775 mg/l Potassium over this 155 m interval.
The brine mineralisation, shows an excellent Mg/Li ratio of 2.5:1, and confirms the extension of elevated lithium
concentrations from the northern property boundary with Orocobre (Sales de Jujuy) through to CAU15, where brine mineralisation
remains open to the south. CAU18 is located 3.6 km north of CAU07 and 15 km north of CAU15 as shown on Figure 1. Results from
CAU15 (NW Sector) and CAU11 (in the SE Sector) suggest the brine body continues south of these holes, and this area will be
evaluated further following the upcoming resource estimate, providing potential for future resource expansion.
The majority of drainable porosity test results on undisturbed core samples have now been received from the GeoSystems
Analysis laboratory in the United States and will be used in the upcoming resource estimate. The
results have confirmed the favourable drainable porosity characteristics of the sand dominated units and are further supported by
the high flow rates reported recently in CAU07 and CAU11 pumping tests.
SE SECTOR – Brine sampling activities
Brine chemistry analyses have been received from packer sampling carried out by the company on pumping test wells CAU08, 09,
10 and 11. This discrete interval sampling using a packer and low-flow pump provides information for the resource estimate and
confirms the composite brine grades obtained in holes CAU08, 09, and 10 to date from pumping tests, with results from CAU11
pending.
To date results have been received from the sampling in the upper parts of these holes confirming good Li grades in the range
619 to 724 mg/l. In CAU08 results average 619 mg/l Li and 5,442 mg/l K from 60-146m; in CAU09 results average 643 mg/l and 6,141 mg/l K from 78-171 m and
in CAU10 results average 724 mg/l Li and 6,319 mg/l K from 60-126 m, with deeper sampling
yet to be undertaken with packer equipment.
Completion of Phase 2 Drilling and Pumping Program
Currently diamond drilling is underway on CAU14 site in the SE Sector. Brine chemistry analyses from CAU14 and CAU17 are the
last results from the Phase 2 program to be included in the upcoming resource estimate.
Exploration
Hole
Number
|
Sector
|
Total
Depth
(m)
|
Depth
Installed
Well (m)
|
Assay
Interval
(m)
|
Lithium
(mg/l avg)
|
Potassium
(mg/l avg)
|
Drilling
Method
|
Coordinates Gauss
Kruger Argentine*
Zone3 Posgar
|
Elevation
Mean
Sea Level
(m)+
|
Azimuth
|
Dip
|
Easting
|
Northing
|
CAU07
|
NW
|
343
|
325
|
135-343
|
601
|
4,853
|
Rotary
|
3,421,199
|
7,383,989
|
3,940
|
0
|
-90
|
CAU08
|
SE
|
400
|
400
|
50-400
|
517
|
5,319
|
Rotary
|
3,423,941
|
7,374,495
|
3,900
|
0
|
-90
|
CAU09
|
SE
|
400
|
400
|
60-400
|
662
|
6,137
|
Rotary
|
3,423,775
|
7,377,806
|
3,900
|
0
|
-90
|
CAU10
|
SE
|
429
|
340
|
50-340
|
682
|
6,516
|
Rotary
|
3,425,530
|
7,379,295
|
3,900
|
0
|
-90
|
CAU11
|
SE
|
480
|
476
|
50-476
|
515
|
4,577
|
Rotary
|
3,421,757
|
7,372,564
|
3,900
|
0
|
-90
|
CAU12
|
SE
|
413
|
210
|
24.5-305
|
Pending
|
Pending
|
Diamond
|
3,421,693
|
7,374,673
|
3,900
|
0
|
-90
|
CAU13
|
SE
|
449
|
242
|
26.5-389
|
Pending
|
Pending
|
Diamond
|
3,422,773
|
7,376,283
|
3,900
|
0
|
-90
|
CAU14
|
SE
|
|
Drilling underway
|
Diamond
|
3,425,664
|
7,376,998
|
3,900
|
0
|
-90
|
CAU15
|
NW
|
243.5
|
210
|
102-234.5
|
475
within
407 mg/l
interval
|
3,662
within
3196 mg/l
interval
|
Diamond
|
3,419,288
|
7,373,385
|
3,900
|
0
|
-90
|
CAU16
|
NW
|
321.5
|
202
|
14-298
|
529
within
436 mg/l
interval
|
4,306
within
3,608
mg/l
interval
|
Diamond
|
3,419,935
|
7,379,900
|
3,900
|
0
|
-90
|
CAU17
|
NW
|
237.5
|
tbc
|
tbc
|
pending
|
pending
|
Diamond
|
3,419,964
|
7,387,429
|
3,945
|
0
|
-90
|
CAU18
|
NW
|
359.0
|
359
|
165-320
|
476
|
3,775
|
Diamond
|
3,422,580
|
7,386,975
|
3,940
|
0
|
-90
|
* Gauss Kruger Zone 3, using the POSGAR Datum. Hand held GPS locations, not
yet confirmed by surveying
|
+ Nominal elevations from DEM. Hole elevations to be confirmed by
surveying.
|
Upcoming Phase 3 drill program
Additional deeper drilling has been planned to depths below 450 m to fully define the extent of
the deeper sand unit and the base of the Cauchari salar basin. The phase 3 Program will include additional production well
installations and pumping tests in the NW and SE Sectors and will follow on immediately from the Phase 2 program.
The Phase 3 deep drilling will be supported by a new drill rig (large diameter drilling capacity to beyond 600 m) that will be mobilized to the Project by mid-April. A series of holes will be completed to define the
full extent of the lower (deep) sand unit for an additional update to the resource /reserve estimate to be included in the DFS
planned for completion in early 2019.
Cauchari JV Development Timeline
The updated resource estimate, due to be released in Q2, will be followed by a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) planned
for completion in June-July. Proposals have been received from internationally recognised engineering companies with lithium
experience and the selection process is well advanced to allow engineering studies for the PEA to commence in mid-April 2018.
The PEA will evaluate project development options and establish the preliminary project economics, summarised in a Ni43-101
Technical Report.
The Company has completed a detailed project development schedule and budget and is fully funded through the completion of the
Phase 2 program, and the updated resource estimate, the Preliminary Economic Assessment, and the Phase 3 drill program which will
support the DFS targeted for early 2019.
Initiation of Restricted Share Unit program
The Company wishes to announce that in order to further align the interests of the Company's senior executives, key employees,
consultants and directors with those of the shareholders of the Company, the Company has adopted a restricted share unit plan
(the "Plan"). The Plan provides for the issuance of up to 1,900,000 restricted share units (the "RSUs"). Under the Plan,
RSUs may be granted to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company (excluding investor relations consultants)
as partial compensation for the services they provide to the Company. The Plan is a fixed number plan, and the number of
shares issued under the Plan, when combined with the number of stock options available under the Company's stock option plan,
will not exceed 10% of the Company's outstanding shares. The Plan is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange
and to disinterested shareholder approval which will be sought at the next shareholders meeting of the Company. Any RSUs
awarded prior to obtaining both TSX Venture Exchange approval and disinterested shareholder approval (collectively, the
"Approvals") are subject to, and may not be paid out before, both approvals are obtained. Any RSU Shares issued are
subject to a four month hold from date of issue. The Company's Compensation Committee and Board of Directors have approved the
award of 1,750,000 RSUs to certain directors, officers, employees and consultants, subject to receipt of disinterested
shareholder and Exchange approval. The 1,750,000 RSUs vest over three years based upon the achievement of certain
milestones. Shareholder approval is being sought at the Company's next AGM.
The technical information in this news release has reviewed and approved on behalf of the company by Mr Frits Reidel, a "Qualified Person" as defined in NI 43-101.
ADVANTAGE LITHIUM CORP.
Per:
|
"David Sidoo"
|
|
David Sidoo, President
|
|
Tel: 604.343.3760 | Fax: 604.683.1585
|
|
Email: info@advantagelithium.com
|
A bout Advantage Lithium Corp.
Advantage Lithium Corp is focused on developing its 75% owned Cauchari lithium project, located in Jujuy, Argentina. The Company also owns 100% interest in three additional lithium exploration properties in
Argentina: Antofalla, Incahuahsi, and Guayatayoc. The Company is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V:AAL) OTCQX Best Market in the U.S.
(OTCQX: AVLIF).
Further information about the Company can be found at www.advantagelithium.com.
Cautionary Statement:
Certain information contained in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information", within the meaning of
Canadian legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology
such as "is expected", "intends", or "has the potential to". Forward looking statements contained in this press release may
include statements regarding the future operating or financial performance of Advantage that involve known and unknown risks and
uncertainties which may not prove to be accurate. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from what is expressed or
forecasted in these forward-looking statements. Such statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and
uncertainties surrounding future expectations. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the
date of this press release and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable
securities legislation.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture
Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
SOURCE Advantage Lithium Corp
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