Wealth Reports Initial Bathymetric Data from Laguna Verde Lithium Project, Chile Expands Work Program to Explore Conventional Brine Potential at Depth
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NR17-10 April 10, 2017
Wealth Reports Initial Bathymetric Data from
Laguna Verde Lithium Project, Chile
Expands Work Program to Explore
Conventional Brine Potential at Depth
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE....Vanc ouver, British Columbia: Wealth Minerals Ltd. (the
“Company” or “Wealth”) - (TSXV: WML; OTCQB: WMLLF; SSE: WMLCL; Frankfurt:
EJZN), reports that it has received preliminary data from the bathymetric survey being
conducted at the Laguna Verde Lithium Project in Chile (“Laguna Verde” or the “Project”) in
connection with its previously announced lake -brine sampling and proj ect evaluation program
(the “Work Program”), see news release dated March 31, 2017.
New Bathymetric Data
The Company has received preliminary results from the contractor it ha s engaged to conduct the
bathymetric survey at Laguna Verde. This data shows that the maximum depth of the lake is
approximately 6.0m with a mean depth of appr oximately 3.5m. Company representatives have
completed a site visit to verify the new bathymet ric data and have found the data to be accurate.
Previous operators at Laguna Verd e reported that the lake was up to 60m in depth with a mean
depth of 33m and this data was included in a National Instrume nt 43-101 (“NI 43-101”)
technical report dated May 5, 201 0 and prepared for Pan American Lithium Corp (the “2010
Report”). The data was referenced by the Co mpany in news releases dated December 19, 2016
and March 31, 2017.
Water sampling has begun on the Project and samples will be despatched to the Tenova
Advanced Technologies (a divisi on of Tenova S.p.A.) laborator y for analysis as soon as
sampling has been completed, including a 50 liter lake-brine sample.
Conventional Brine Exploration
Publically available geophysical and geological data has been acquired by the Company which
has allowed the Company to define a conventional lithium brine target, similar to the Company’s
exploration target at the Atacam a Project, underlying Laguna Verde. The data was collected for
Barrick and Kinross and filed in December 2010 as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment
(“EIA”) for an unrelated mineral project. The EIA and its data cover two regional drainage
basins and include Wealth’s Laguna Verde Project. The data of interest is a gravity survey
(Figure 1) and the resulting geological section ( Figure 2), both of which traverse the Laguna
Verde property.
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Gravity Survey Data
The gravity profile was collected by a Ch ilean geophysical consulting company called Geodatos
S.A.I.C and reported in September 2010. The purpose of the survey was to determine the depth
to basement and the accuracy of modeled resu lts were improved by using measured densities
from drill core collected within the study area. Th is approach is understood to result in the best
possible accuracy of the gravity models.
A total of seven gravity profiles were collected as part of the greater survey and the profile,
which traverses the Laguna Verde Project, was completed with 37 measurement stations (Figure
1). All details of the survey including equipment used, survey specifications, data processing
and modelling are included in the detailed EIA report.
Figure 1: Location of gravity data collection profile relative to Laguna Verde and results of the gravity
model which predicts a basin fill sediment thickness of 500m.
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Geological Interpretation
The geological cross sections were prepared by SRK Consulting as part of the same EIA project.
The geological interpreta tion utilizes a variety of informa tion including geological mapping at
surface and the gravity data interpretation desc ribed above (Figure 1). The geological cross
section ( Figure 2) transects Wealth’s Laguna Verde Projec t. The interpreted section suggests
that approximately 500m of basin fill exists u nderlying the current footprint of Laguna Verde,
comprising recent sediments such as sand, gravel, clastic sediments and felsic volcanic material,
all capped by a layer of ignimbrite (pumice-dominated pyroclastic flow).
Figure 2: Interpreted Geological Cross Section through Laguna Verde
Implications
The results of the bathymetric survey at Laguna Ve rde demonstrate that the lake is considerably
shallower than reported in the 2010 Report. While this new information reduces the potential
lithium brine resource that can be defined within surface lake-brine, other publically available
geophysical and geological information opens up a new conventional brine exploration target in
the basin-filling sediments underlying the lake. This target type is similar to the Company’s
exploration target at the Atacama Lithium Project, where aquifer-hosted brines are being targeted
in the sediments underlying the property. The ex istence of surface lake-b rines together with
potential aquifer-hosted brines at depth expands the total scope of the Project and the exploration
work that may be completed thereon.
Expanded Work Program
The Laguna Verde Work program will now be expanded to include ge ophysical surveys to
evaluate the potential for a thic k basin fill underlying Laguna Verd e and the potential for those
sediments to host lithium brines. Additional gravity surveying will be combined with a
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Transient Electromagnetic (“TEM”) survey. Both surveys will begin as soon as possible in Q2
(Figure 3). Assuming that geophysical results justify continued wo rk, drilling will be required
to test for the existence of underlying lithium brines. Preparation of a NI 43-101 technical report
for the Company regarding the Project will be delayed to include the results of work on both
surface lake-brines and underlying conventional aquifer-brines.
Figure 3: Expanded Work Program at Laguna Verde. Additional work highlighted in red.
Qualified Person
Mr. Keith Henderson, PGeo, is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
Mr. Henderson has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis of this
news release and has approved the disclosure herein.
About Wealth Minerals Ltd.
Wealth is a mineral resource company with interests in Canada, Mexico, Peru and Chile. The
Company’s main focus is the acquisition of lith ium projects in South America. To date, the
Company has positioned itself to develop the Aguas Calientes Norte, Pujsa and Quisquiro Salars
in Chile (the Trinity Project), as well as to work alongside existing pr oducers in the prolific
Atacama Salar, in addition to its recently a nnounced Laguna Verde lithium project acquisition.
The Company continues to aggressively pursue ne w acquisitions in the region. Lithium market
dynamics and a rapidly increasing metal price are the result of profound structural issues with the
industry meeting anticipated future demand. Wealth is positioning itself to be a major beneficiary
of this future mismatch of supply and demand. The Company also main tains and continues to
evaluate a portfolio of precious and base metal exploration-stage projects.
For further details on the Company, reader s are referred to the Company's website
(www.wealthminerals.com) and its Canadian regulatory filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors of
WEALTH MINERALS LTD.
“Hendrik van Alphen”
Hendrik van Alphen
Chief Executive Officer
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For further information, please contact: Marla Ritchie
Phone: 604-331-0096 Ext. 3886 or 604-638-3886
E-mail: [email protected]
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Prov ider (as that term is defined in the policies of the
TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, “forward-
looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including the
United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 . All statements, other than statements of historical
fact, included herein including, without limitation, stat ements regarding the anticipat ed content, commencement,
timing and cost of the Work Program and otherwise, anticipated exploration program results from the Work
Program, the discovery and delineation of mineral depos its/resources/reserves on the Project, the anticipated
business plans and timing of future activities of the Company and the Company’s expectation that it will be able to
enter into agreements to acquire interests in additiona l mineral properties, are forward-looking statements.
Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations
will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: “believe”,
“expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “estimate”, “postulate” and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their
nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the
Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from
those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, issues raised during the Company's
due diligence on the Project, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and
development activities, actual results of exploration activities, including th e Work Program, the estimation or
realization of mineral reserves and mineral resources, th e timing and amount of estimated future production, the
costs of production, capital expenditures, the costs and tim ing of the development of new deposits, requirements for
additional capital, future prices of lithium and precious metals, changes in general economic conditions, changes in
the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities, labour disputes and other risks of the
mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of
development or construction activities, changes in laws, regulations and polic ies affecting mining operations, title
disputes, the inability of the Company to obtain any nece ssary permits, consents or authorizations required,
including TSX-V acceptance of any current or future property acquisitions or financings and other planned
activities, the timing and possible outcome of any pendi ng litigation, environmental issu es and liabilities, and risks
related to joint venture operations, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company’s latest interim
Management Discussion and Analysis and filed with certain securities commissions in Canada. All of the
Company’s Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review
these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company’s mineral properties.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no
obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein,
except as otherwise required by law.
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