Rodinia Lithium Inc.'s Auger Drilling Extends Near Surface High-Grade Lithium-Potash Zone 1.5 km at Salar de Diablillos - Exploration Program Continues to Deliver Positive Results- Auger Drill Program has Expanded the High-Grade Nucleus Another 1.5 k
- Exploration Program Continues to Deliver Positive Results
- Auger Drill Program has Expanded the High-Grade Nucleus Another 1.5 km on Strike
- Entire Sampled Salar is Mineralized Averaging 680 mg/L Lithium, 7,400 mg/L Potassium, and 669 mg/L Boron
- Salar Nucleus Averaging 845 mg/L Lithium, 9,092 mg/L Potassium, and 762 mg/L Boron
- Auger Results Are Encouraging for the Ongoing Reverse Circulation Discovery Drill Program
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 09/24/10 -- Rodinia Lithium Inc. ('Rodinia' or the 'Company') (TSX VENTURE: RM)(OTCQX: RDNAF), is pleased to report further sample results from its auger drill exploration program on its Salar de Diablillos lithium-brine project in Salta, Argentina ('Diablillos' or the 'Salar'). The completion of an additional 38 sample holes has extended the previously defined 2.5 km by 4.0 km high-grade lithium-potash zone near surface by an additional 1.5 km along strike (see Press Release dated May 26, 2010 for additional details on the original high-grade zone definition).
William Randall, President and CEO of Rodinia, commented 'It is encouraging that these additional auger drill holes have intersected grades similar to the previous auger drilling and has extended our high-grade zone an additional 1.5 km. We now have additional areas to target with our ongoing reverse circulation drilling. Coupling these results with drill hole D-RC-01 announced last week, which demonstrated a continuous aquifer to depths of at least 120 metres, provides additional support for the potential to delineate a large scale resource at Diablillos' (see Press Release dated September 17, 2010 for additional details on drill hole D-RC-01).
Based on the completed sampling program of 140 sample holes, the Diablillos auger drill exploration program returned lithium ('Li') values of up to 1,000 milligrams per litre ('mg/L') and potassium ('K') values of up to 11,000 mg/L. Focusing on the nucleus of the Salar, which the Company believes represents the highest probability for production (see Figure 1 below), results returned average Li of 845 mg/L, average K of 9,092 mg/L, and 762 mg/L boron ('B') with favourable magnesium ('Mg') to Li ratio of 3.75 and an attractive sulphate to lithium ratio. Previously reported results for the auger drill program were based on a total of 102 sample holes. The full set of results reinforce the Company's belief that Diablillos may contain high concentrations of lithium, potash and boron and that the project has the potential to become a lithium carbonate producer. The Company remains encouraged by the presence of near-surface brines that contain similar, and in many instances higher, lithium and potash concentrations to other established brine developers in South America.
The completed auger program successfully covered a large portion of the Salar which returned average results of 680 mg/L Li, 7,400 mg/L K, 669 mg/L B, 3.75 Mg:Li, and 10.73 SO4:Li. Certain portions of the salar and its margins could not be sampled due to more extensive overburden material. The auger drill has been modified to be able to successfully penetrate the hard calcium carbonate layers commonly encountered, therefore enabling the additional sampling reported in this press release. In general, lithium values decreased towards the salar margins to the north and south, however drilling will be required to establish whether this trend is consistent at depth. Rodinia has a reverse circulation drill program underway on the Salar, which amongst other things will test the depth of the aquifer, as well as the lithium potential under the areas sampled by the auger drill.
To view Figure 1 - Sampling Contour Map, Salar de Diablillos, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/RMimage.jpg
Throughout the auger sampling, Rodinia employed a sampling procedure designed to ensure sample integrity by minimizing contamination of brine samples through the dissolution of overlying sediments and evaporates that may be enriched in lithium. All the holes were drilled to a depth sufficient to ensure penetration of the overlying clay layer, which varies in thickness between one and over three metres. Below the clays, a medium to coarse-grained sand aquifer was encountered containing high-grade lithium brine in its porous space. A historical drill hole in the south eastern margin of the Salar indicates the presence of this aquifer to a vertical depth of at least 75 metres, with material coarsening at depth to a coarse basal conglomerate (SEGEMAR; www.segemar.gov.ar). Rodinia has also recently completed a reverse circulation discovery drill hole, drill hole D-RC-01, which indicated the presence of this aquifer to a vertical depth of at least 120 metres.
Sample integrity was maintained by pushing four inch casing down into the hole and pumping, where possible, the contents of the hole. The hole was then left to refill from the aquifer below, ensuring proper representation of brine geochemistry. This brine was then sampled and decanted before collection in sealed plastic containers that had been previously rinsed in the same brine. All samples were sent to ALS Laboratory Group, Environmental Division, in Fort Collins, CO, USA where Rodinia is sending both its Diablillos and Clayton Valley project samples.
The Project is supervised by William Randall, MSc (Geology), the President and CEO of Rodinia, and by Ray Spanjers, Rodinia's Manager of Exploration. Both Messrs. Randall and Spanjers are considered qualified persons, as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and both have reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this release. According to the Company's sampling protocol, sample size is to exceed 300 millilitres and be stored in clean, secure containers for transportation. The prepared samples are then forwarded to the ALS Laboratory Group, Environmental Division, in Fort Collins, Co (USA) for analysis. A rigorous QA/QC program is implemented consisting of regular insertion of standards and blanks to ensure laboratory integrity.
About Rodinia Lithium Inc.:
Rodinia Lithium Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company with a primary focus on lithium exploration and development in North and South America. The Company is positioned to capitalize on the expected increase in demand for lithium carbonate that is projected to result from the anticipated paradigm shift to mass adoption and use of key lithium applications like lithium-ion batteries as well as glass ceramics, greases, pharmaceuticals etc.
Rodinia is currently exploring its Clayton Valley project in Nevada, USA, which surrounds the only lithium-brine producer in North America, and its Salar de Diablillos project in Salta, Argentina.
Please visit the Company's web site at www.rodinialithium.com or write us at info@rodinialithium.com. Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/RodiniaLithium.
Cautionary Notes
Except for statements of historical fact contained herein, the information in this press release constitutes 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as 'plans', 'proposes', 'estimates', 'intends', 'expects', 'believes', 'may', 'will' and include without limitation, statements regarding the impact of the drill program at the Diablillos property and results of such drill program; the potential of the Diablillos property; the potential results and timetable for further exploration with respect to the Clayton Valley project and the Diablillos property, the timetable with respect to future acquisitions and exploration developments at Clayton Valley and Diablillos, timetable for further exploration, analysis and development, title disputes or claims; and governmental approvals and regulation. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, metal prices, competition, financing risks, acquisition risks, risks inherent in the mining industry, and regulatory risks. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, the Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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Contacts:
Investor Cubed Inc.
Neil Simon
+1 (647) 258-3310
Rodinia Lithium Inc.
Aaron Wolfe
Vice-President, Corporate Development
+1 (416) 309-2696
www.rodinialithium.com