Liberty One Lithium Corp reported that drilling has commenced at its Pocitos West property in Jujuy province, in Northwest Argentina. The operational team moved quickly to secure and mobilize a drilling rig and all related equipment.
With operations underway, on-site determination by the team will assess initial findings from the brine samples at specific depths, as defined by geophysics and drill hole logging. If warranted, the team may elect to case the primary well for monitoring, and drill an adjacent rotary/core hole for pumping tests. Once the initial well is at depth and down-hole geophysics logging and depth-specific packer sampling have been completed, the drilling equipment will be moved to the second target to undertake preliminary wide-area sampling of the salar basin characteristics.
Company CEO Brad Nichol noted: «Events are moving quickly in the field now, and I credit that to the top-notch team on the ground. They were fully prepared to get underway and are currently ahead of schedule. If all goes well, we anticipate a comprehensive report within eight weeks and will utilize the intervening period to finalize our drill and work planning based on anticipated result scenarios. Having pre-paid over $1 million for the start of the drilling program, we still have a healthy cash position of over $9 million in the bank. If this initial exploration is successful, our plans call for embarking on the full drilling program consistent with the current 11-hole permit approval, representing the first round of development activity at the Company’s 15,000 hectare ‘Pocitos West’ property.»
Mr. Monty McNeil, Liberty One Senior Engineering and Operations Manager, noted, «Having hit the ground running, everything is moving smoothly ahead. It is a huge property in a prospective environment, and the data from the previous Vertical Electrical Soundings («VES») survey has provided an excellent selection of drill targets. I am particularly keen to explore the brine horizons encased in pre-existing salar sediments that lie beneath the alluvial fans along the salar edges. Information from the local team, based on their previous experiences in similar locations, leads me to prioritize these targets high on my list. The first round of results will help steer us as we develop a proper field interpretation and NI 43-101 compliant valuation of this impressive property.»
