NOA Drills High-Grade Lithium Brine Discovery in First Hole at Rio Grande, Including 158 m Averaging 773 mg/l Li
NOA Drills High-Grade Lithium Brine Discovery in First Hole at Rio
Grande, Including 158 m Averaging 773 mg/l Li
June 22, 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 in the first hole of
the Phase 1 diamond drill program at its Rio Grande project (“Rio Grande” or “the Project”). The hole
intersected two high-grade lithium (“Li”) brine aquifers of significant thickness. Highlights include:
• 71 meter (“m”) permeable interval with grades averaging 433 milligrams per liter (“mg/l”)
Li, starting at a depth of 101 m
• 158 m permeable interval with grades up to 925 mg/l Li, and averaging 773 mg/l Li, starting
at a depth of 311 m
Taj Singh, President and CEO states: “We discovered two brine horizons in our first drill hole at Rio
Grande, with grades and thicknesses far exceeding our early expectations for the P roject. The
shallow aquifer, starting from only ~100 metres from surface, returned an impressive average of 433
mg/l lithium, while the deeper one, starting ~300 metres below surface returned exceptionally high
grades, averaging 773 mg/l lithium, with several samples returning in excess of 850 mg/l lithium.”
“These results rank among some of the highest grading salars in the region – one of most the prolific
lithium districts in the world. Brine geochemistry results and observed brine permeabilities were also
encouraging for future process planning and project development. Our second hole is well advanced,
and we look forward to continuing to progress our drill program at the Project to support a maiden
mineral resource estimate by early 2024,” added Mr. Singh.
The results of the first hole drilled bode well for the on- going drill program at the Project , as the
Company controls a majority of the north / northeast part of the basin surrounding the salar in which
this discovery was made . Additionally, NOA is one of the largest claimholders at the Rio Grande
salar / basin. The results also validate the Company’s thesis that brine horizons extend beyond the
surface manifestation of the salar.
Results f or Hole DDH- RG23-001
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 DDH-RG23-001, drilled at the Sulfa X claim
(shown in Figure 1 below) reached a depth of 613 m, which the Company understands to be the
deepest hole ever publicly reported at the Rio Grande salar and the first drillhole in the alluvium
(basin) surrounding the surface salar. Magnesium-to-lithium ratios averaged ~10:1 across the hole.
NEWS RELEASE
Table 1: Interval data & Li assays (double packer sampling) for drillhole DDH-RG23-001
Sample interval (m) Li
top bottom (mg/l)
101 103 423
107 109 420
113 115 406
119 121 435
125 127 445
131 133 439
137 139 440
143 145 436
149 151 436
155 157 436
161 163 443
167 172 432
311 313 815
335 337 807
359 361 778
371 373 850
395 397 874
407 409 871
419 421 925
443 445 488
467 469 557
Hole R G23-001 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. After drilling
was completed, final sampling and lining the hole with 2” diameter PVC filters and casing was carried
out. Drilling was carried out by Salta-based Hidrotec S.A., under the supervision of NOA’s geologists.
From surface to approximately 55 m depth the hole progressed through alluvial gravels, and below
55 m through to the full depth of the hole several salar evaporite and semi-consolidated sedimentary
lithologies were intersected, including black sands, fractured halites, gravely sands, carbonate sands
and conglomerates.
Phase 1 Drill Program Update
The Phase 1 drill program is planned for six holes and is designed to deliver a maiden mineral
resource estimate for the Rio Grande project in early 2024. The Company has begun drilling the next
hole, DDH-RG23-002 ( with a projected depth of +500 m) on the surface salar, where drill ing is
expected to be completed in June. The location of DDH-RG23-001 and 002 are shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Plan map showing Hole RG23-001 (current release) and 002 (in progress).
Table 2: RG23-001 - Drill collar information
Hole #: DDH-RG23-001 Azimuth: 0 deg.
Claim name: Sulfa X 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
that is not owned by a producing company, with key positions on three prospective salars (Rio
Grande, Arizaro, Salinas Grandes) and a total portfolio of over 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 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).
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.
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, temperature 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.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward- Looking Statements
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 consi dered forward looking statements. Forward-looking 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 differ
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 be no assurances that such statements will prove ac curate
and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. NOA does not assume any obligation to update
any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable laws .
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exc hange)
accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.