International Lithium Receives Encouraging Pump Test Results on Mariana Lithium Brine Project, Argentina
NEWS RELEASE
International Lithium Receives Encouraging Pump Test
Results on Mariana Lithium Brine Project, Argentina
Vancouver, B.C. December 6, 2017: International Lithium Corp. (the “ Company” or
“ILC”) (TSX VENTURE: ILC) is pleased to announce that it has received a report
prepared by Geos Mining Minerals Consultants of Australia (“Geos”) through ILC’s joint
venture partner, Mariana Lithium Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co.,
Ltd. The report summarizes results from trial pump tests conducted in September 2017
at Salar de Llulla illaico, location of the Mariana lithium brine joint venture project
(“Mariana”) in Salta, Argentina. The trial tests are part of ongoing pump tests to be
completed at three locations on the project. A conclusion from the trial pump test report
states, “A step-drawdown test pumped at three (3) rates of between 10 and 30 litres per
second (“L/s”) indicated a high transmissivity, hydraulic conductivity and storativity.” The
ultimate goal for these ongoing tests is to carry out long term pumping at a constant rate
of 60 L/s at three sites within the resource ar ea. The Company will provide further
updates on the progress of these tests.
The study results from the Geos report are summarized below:
Litio Minera Argentina SA conducted trial pump tests on bore MA17 -20PW, located
in the Mariana Project western S alar de Llullaillaco resource area during September
2017. An exploratory aquifer test with observation bores was conducted to provide:
training and understanding to staff, preliminary aquifer drawdown and response
assessment, plus a step-drawdown test to provide information on well efficiency.
Initially a constant rate test utilising five observation bores was conducted for a five
hour period pumping at 30.4 L/s. Minor drawdown was observed in observation
bores monitoring both higher and lower parts of the aqui fer system. No drawdown
was observed in more distal observation bores.
The lack of drawdown in shallower observation bores, plus the one deeper
observation bore MA17-20A, indicates that the pumped aquifer at the level of MA17 -
20B is acting in a nearly con fined manner, and there was minimal interaction over
the short pumped time period with overlying or underlying aquifers.
A step-drawdown test pumped at 3 rates of between 10 and 30 L/s indicated a high
transmissivity, hydraulic conductivity and storativity.
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Whilst no modelling of the drawdown from the trial pumping tests was undertaken ,
preliminary graphical analysis suggests the salar interlayered and intercalated
sedimentary package makes up an interconnected leaky aquifer system at site MA17 -
20PW. This aquifer system has a very high transmissivity, high hydraulic
conductivity and a significant storativity.
“The ongoing confirmation that the aquifers at Salar de Llullaillaco can sustain
extending pumping are complimentary to our goals of achieving a positive production
decision through upcoming Preliminary Economic Assessment and Feasibility Studies,”
commented Kirill Klip, Executive Chairman of ILC, “These tests pave the way for us to
determine the best technology and economic scenario to advance our Mariana Lithium
joint venture project.”
At Mariana, the current focus for lithium extraction is to determine the break points of
contaminants such as magnesium and sulphate in the natural evaporation process in
order to define the timing of the lim ing process . Large q uantities of lime and other
reagents needed to neutralize the brine chemistry to prevent the loss of lithium through
precipitation during the evaporation concent ration process generally tend to have a
severe negative impact on the economics of lithium brine operations.
In its news release of September 5, 2017, the Company released results of an early
study regarding the utlilization of membrane technology to produce a much higher
valued lithium product. The adoption of alternative technologies such as described in
the September 5, 2017 news release have potential to provide an alternative to the
currently adopted plan of using natural solar evaporation to produce a brine concentrate
that would be exported to China for further refining.
The Mariana Lithium joint venture partners are currently reviewing options for the 2018
budget year that are aimed at accelerating the project through the studies required to
prove economic viability.
Afzaal Pirzada, P.Geo., a “Qualified Person” for the purposes of National Instrument 43 -
101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects , ha s reviewed and approved the
scientific and technical information contained in this news release.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Kirill Klip
Executive Chairman
For further information concerning this news release please contact +1 604-700-8912
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.
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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain “forward -
looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking
information or forward -looking statements in this news release include: th e timing and
anticipated results of environmental impact studies and pump tests, timing of
preliminary economic studies on the Mariana project, the expectation of feasibility
studies, lithium recoveries, modelling of capital and operating costs, and the Company’s
continued interest in the Mariana project . Such forward-looking information is based on
a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, including
but not limited to those discussed in the sections entitled “Risks” and “Forward-Looking
Statements” in the interim and annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis which
are available at www.sedar.com. While management believes that the assumptions
made are reasonable, there can be no assurance that forward -looking statements will
prove to be accurate . Should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors
materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary
materially from those described in forward -looking information. Forwa rd-looking
information herein, and all subsequent written and oral forward -looking information are
based on expectations, estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are
made that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the time of suc h
statements, are subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties
and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions may prove to be incorrect and
are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as req uired
by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward -looking information
should circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions change.