NOA’s Second Hole at Rio Grande Intercepts 307 m of High-Grade Lithium Brine Over Two Aquifers, With Grades Up To 556 mg/l Li
NOA’s Second Hole at Rio Grande Intercepts 307 m of High-Grade
Lithium Brine Over Two Aquifers, With Grades Up To 556 mg/l Li
July 31, 2023, Toronto, Ontario – NOA Lithium Brines Inc. (TSX-V: NOAL, FSE: N7N) (“NOA” or
the “Company”) is pleased to report positive lithium results from brine samples from RG23-002, the
second hole of the Phase 1 diamond drill program at its Rio Grande project (“Rio Grande” or “the
Project”) located in Salta Province, Argentina. The hole was drilled within the salar, approximately
14 kilometers (“km”) south of the first hole on the Project and intersected two high-grade lithium (“Li”)
brine aquifers of significant thickness. Highlights include:
• 158 meter (“m”) permeable interval with grades up to 556 milligrams per liter (“mg/l”) Li,
and averaging 440 mg/l, starting at a depth of 17 m
• 149 m permeable interval with grades up to 552 mg/l Li, and averaging 485 mg/l Li, starting
at a depth of 317 m, representing a newly discovered deeper aquifer in the salar
Taj Singh, President and CEO states: “Following up on our successful first hole at Rio Grande, our
second hole, 14 km south, the deepest publicly reported drill hole on the Rio Grande salar, builds on
our excitement for the Project. As in the first hole, RG23-002 intercepted two thick, high-grade brine
horizons; the first aquifer was intercepted at very shallow depths and the second aquifer was a new
discovery starting approximately 300 m from surface.
“Both aquifers returned some of the top grades ever encountered on the Rio Grande salar and the
brine intervals’ grades and total thickness rank among the highs of the region. These grades once
again exceed ed our expectations, and the discovery of the second aquifer within the salar was
extremely encouraging. As in our first hole, brine geochemistry and permeability were consistent and
positive for future process planning.”
Both aquifers demonstrate potential to extend into NOA’s claimblocks on other parts of the salar and
may continue past the surface manifestation of the salar (visible salar) and into the alluvials within
the basin. This second hole follows on the discovery of significant lithium-bearing brines in the first
hole, RG23-001 (see NOA News Release dated June 22, 2023). In that hole two stacked aquifers in
the northern alluvials of the salar were discovered: a permeable brine interval of 71 m averaging 433
mg/l Li starting at 101 m downhole and an interval of 158 m averaging 773 mg/l Li (and up to 925
mg/l Li) starting from 311 m downhole.
Results for Hole RG23-002
The results of the brine analyses and the respective intervals are shown in Table 1 below and drill
collar information is presented in Table 2 below. Hole RG23-002, drilled at the Cynthia Ines claim
NEWS RELEASE
(shown in Figure 1 below) reached a de pth of 642 m. Magnesium-to-lithium ratios averaged ~10:1
across the hole.
Table 1: Interval data & Li assays (double-packer sampling) for drillhole DDH-RG23-002
Sample interval (m) Li concentration (mg/l) top bottom
17 19 411
29 31 436
41 43 443
53 55 438
65 67 408
77 79 466
101 103 483
113 115 556
125 127 444
137 139 460
149 151 442
161 163 358
173 175 378
317 319 552
329 331 510
341 343 477
353 355 485
365 367 433
377 379 362
404 406 525
416 418 504
428 430 499
440 442 473
452 454 471
464 466 524
Hole R G23-002 was executed with diamond drilling (HQ -size), permitting the extraction of core
samples of the salar basin formations and collection of brine samples where possible. Drilling was
carried out by Salta- based Hidrotec S.A. , under the supervision of NOA’s geologists. Sample
analysis and QA/QC notes are outlined in a separate section below.
Several salar evaporite and semi-consolidated sedimentary lithologies were intersected downhole.
From just under surface to approximately 120 m depth the hole progressed through well-sorted black
sands followed by approximately 60 m of fractured halite. From approximately 180 m to 480 m sandy
fractured halite was dominant and beyond this, sandy crystalline halite.
The Phase 1 drill program comprises six holes designed to deliver a maiden mineral resource
estimate for the Rio Grande project in early 2024 . The location of RG23-002 and completed hole
RG23-001 are shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Plan map showing Hole RG23-002 (current release) and RG23-001 (completed)
Table 2: RG23-002 - Drill collar information
Hole #: DDH-RG23-002 Azimuth: 0 deg.
Claim name: Cyntia Ines Inclination: -90 deg.
Coordinates (UTM
19J South):
E: 582904 m
N: 7227247 m,
Z: 3702 m
Contractor: Hidrotec S.A.
Machine type: HT07 LF-90
Drill type: Diamond
Hole diameter: HQ
About NOA Lithium Brines Inc.
NOA is a lithium exploration and development company formed to acquire assets with significant
resource potential. All NOA’s projects are in the heart of the prolific Lithium Triangle, in the mining-
friendly province of Salta, Argentina, near a multitude of projects and operations owned by industry
leaders. NOA has rapidly consolidated one of the largest lithium brine claim portfolios in this region
not owned by a producing company, with key positions on three prospective salars (Rio Grande,
Arizaro, Salinas Grandes) and a total portfolio of approximately 100,000 hectares.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors,
Taj Singh, M.Eng, P.Eng, CPA
President & CEO, Director
For Further Information
Website: www.noalithium.com
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 416-568-1027
References
[1] Rio Grande Project Technical Report , 2022, prepared by Montgomery and Associates
Consultores Limitada (https://www.noalithium.com/projects/rio-grande/reports/)
Sample analysis & QA/QC Program
The drillhole of the current release was inclined vertically (90 degrees) and the salar strata are
believed to be flat-lying resulting in reported intervals approximating true thickness.
The Company has a robust QA/QC and sample management program. Brine samples were collected
by a single / double packer system (in-hole inflatable) to isolate specific intervals down the drillhole.
The packer sampling method allows the collection of brine samples at specific depths while sealing
the hole at the top and bottom of the interval. The packer system was run several times to flush the
hole after drilling to clear / clean the hole prior to sampling and four samples for each interval were
collected (main sample, duplicate sample, check sample, reserve sample).
Sample collection between 388-400 m was limited by the presence of compacted sands. A double-
packer sample from 389-391 m was collected (assayed 163 mg/l Li) but was considered a diluted
sample due to the limited permeability of the sample site.
Samples of brine were submitted by courier for analysis to SGS Argentina S.A., the local subsidiary
of SGS International, an accredited laboratory for the analysis of lithium and other elements . SGS
employed Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry as the analytical technique
for the primary constituents of interest, including: boron, calcium, potassium, lithium, and
magnesium. Measurements in the field included pH, conductivity, temperat ure and density. The
quality of sample analytical results was controlled and assessed with a protocol of blank, duplicate
and standard samples included within the sample sequence. Differences between original and
duplicate samples and results for standards and blanks are considered within the acceptable range
for lithium.
Qualified Person
Taj Singh, P.Eng, President & CEO, NOA Lithium Brines Inc., is the Company's designated Qualified
Person for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43- 101 Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Singh has reviewed and validated that the information contained
in this news release is accurate.
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This news release may include forward- looking statements that are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. All statements within this
news release, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking statements. Forward-looki ng statements
including, but not limited to NOA’s future plans and objectives regarding its projects, which constitute forward looking information that
involve various risks and uncertainties. Although NOA believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based
on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may di ffer
materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
described in forward-looking statements include fluctuations in market prices, including metal prices, continued availability of capital and
financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can b e no assurances that such statements will prove accurate
and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. NOA does not assume any obligation to update
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