Galan Lithium Ltd (ASX:GLN) will begin diamond drilling this week at the Candelas Lithium Brine Project in Argentina, focusing on stratigraphy within the Candelas channel.
The maiden drilling program is designed to test the geophysical model developed by the company and results from the initial hole will also assist in planning subsequent drilling.
A diamond drill rig is on site with Canadian based international driller Major Drilling engaged for the 5-hole program.
Commercial levels of lithium
Galans managing director Juan Pablo Vargas de la Vega said: “We are excited to commence our maiden drilling at Candelas.
“The team in Argentina is experienced in exploration for lithium-bearing brines and is focused on providing the company with the best change to prove our thesis that Candelas can host commercial levels of lithium similar to our neighbors at Hombre Muerto.”
An aerial image of Galan’s prospects in the Hombre Muerto basin
Contracting and training locals
Galan remains committed to sourcing, contracting and training local people from the Catamarca province for its operations, with some locals trained by Major Drilling as part of their commitment.
The company has also contracted SRK Australia to oversee the resource definition, QA/QC and review work over the Candelas project with a view to potentially generate a JORC-compliant resource estimate.
Galan’s managing director is on-site to support the local team at Candelas.
READ: Galan Lithium’s geophysical survey expands lithium potential in Argentina
The company received promising results from its second resistivity survey at the Candelas project, which identified conductive and shallow units compatible with being saturated with brine.
This result highlighted great potential for lithium exploration with the total area covering potential brines having increased to about 5,930 hectares.
Galan non-executive chairman Nathan McMahon said: “We have extended the target from 10 to around 15 kilometres within our project which is adjacent to significant lithium projects and on one of the world’s most prolific salt flats for the production of high-quality lithium carbonate for the battery minerals market.”
READ: Galan Lithium receives drilling permits for Candelas Lithium Brine Project in Argentina
In mid-December last year, the company received permits to conduct the drilling program.
These were approved by the Secetaria de Estado de Mineria – Gobierno de Catamarca, the authority that approves drilling permits in the Catamarca region.
The managing director said at the time that receiving the permits was a significant step forward for the company in Argentina.
Galan Lithium’s advisor Clive Jones spoke to Proactive Investors at the end of 2018 about plans to develop the Candelas channel after the permits were granted.
Exploration works and plans for the maiden-drilling program were also reviewed.
- Jessica Cummins