Rodinia Lithium Inc. Reports Additional High-Grade Lithium-Potash Brines at Salar De Diablillos - EXPLORATION PROGRAM ENCOUNTERS AVERAGE 607 mg/L LITHIUM, 6,877 mg/L POTASSIUM, AND 794 mg/L BORON TO A DEPTH OF 150 METRES- SECOND REVERSE CIRCULATION D
- EXPLORATION PROGRAM ENCOUNTERS AVERAGE 607 mg/L LITHIUM, 6,877 mg/L POTASSIUM, AND 794 mg/L BORON TO A DEPTH OF 150 METRES
- SECOND REVERSE CIRCULATION DRILL HOLE CONFIRMS HIGH-GRADE LITHIUM OVER 1 KM WEST OF FIRST HOLE
- DRILLING CONTINUES TO INTERSECT PREDOMINANTLY SAND AND GRAVEL LITHOLOGIES WITH FLOW RATES UP TO 300 LITRES PER MINUTE
- FURTHER HOLES BEING PLANNED TO TARGET NORTHERN EXTENSION DELINEATED BY RECENT GRAVITY SURVEY
- THE ONGOING DISCOVERY EXPLORATION PROGRAM IS EXPECTED TO DEFINE A NI 43-101 COMPLIANT RESOURCE ESTIMATE FOR THE SALAR BY THE END OF THE YEAR
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 10/05/10 -- Rodinia Lithium Inc. ('Rodinia' or the 'Company') (TSX VENTURE: RM)(OTCQX: RDNAF), is pleased to report that it has encountered additional high-grade lithium and potash in its second reverse circulation drill hole of its first exploration program on its Salar de Diablillos lithium-brine project in Salta, Argentina ('Diablillos' or the 'Salar'). The Company continues to be encouraged by the results of the exploration program and believes, based on the results of the first two drill holes and the gravity survey data, that they may be indicative of a sizeable, continuous aquifer capable of becoming a producer.
William Randall, President and CEO of Rodinia, commented 'It is encouraging that this second drill hole has intersected similarly high-grades of lithium, potassium and boron as our first drill hole, only now to depths of 150 metres and nearer the Salar margin. The results of two drill holes over 1 kilometre apart, and the geophysical data available, provides further encouragement for the potential to delineate a large scale resource. Rodinia continues to execute on the first ever drill campaign for new lithium and potash on Diablillos and is working to define a National Instrument 43-101 compliant resource estimate on the Salar by year's end.'
Results from drill hole D-RC-02, the second drill hole completed on the project, intersected lithium ('Li') values of up to 690 milligrams per litre ('mg/L') and returned averages of 607 mg/L Li, 6,877 mg/L potassium ('K'), and 794 mg/L boron ('B') over the 150 metre drill hole depth. The hole, located towards the Salar margin, intersected lithologies primarily composed of sand and gravel, with coarser material encountered down hole. The zone continues to be open at depth and in all directions.
The lithium concentrations measured in the drill hole range from 410 to 690 mg/L, demonstrating a remarkably even grade distribution over the aquifer, and indicating the potential of the entire stratigraphic column as a possible producer. Samples were taken every six metres to ensure different characteristics of the brine column were captured, with the intention of identifying the horizons with the most potential for production. The geochemistry of the brine samples remained comparable to those encountered during auger drilling (see previous press release dated May 26, 2010) and during the drilling of hole D-RC-01 (see previous press release dated September 17, 2010), with average magnesium-to-lithium ratio of 4.37 and a sulphate-to-lithium ratio of 17.5.
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depth (metres) milligrams per litre ratio
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Sample From To Li K B Mg:Li SO4:Li
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D-RC-02-001 12 18 650 7500 540 3.5 12.8
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D-RC-02-002 18 24 500 5800 480 3.6 10.0
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D-RC-02-003 24 30
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D-RC-02-004 30 36 510 6000 500 3.7 9.2
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D-RC-02-005 36 42 540 6300 510 3.5 9.8
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D-RC-02-006 42 48 610 7100 540 3.8 11.3
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D-RC-02-007 48 54 580 6800 530 3.6 9.7
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D-RC-02-008 54 60 410 4800 590 5.6 21.0
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D-RC-02-009 60 66 630 7300 780 3.5 22.2
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D-RC-02-010 66 72 670 7800 730 3.3 20.9
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D-RC-02-011 72 78 690 7900 740 4.1 20.3
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D-RC-02-012 78 84 620 7000 800 5.5 21.0
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D-RC-02-013 84 90 600 6800 820 5.5 20.0
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D-RC-02-014 90 96 610 6900 850 5.4 19.7
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D-RC-02-015 96 102 660 7500 800 4.7 18.2
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D-RC-02-016 102 108 590 6600 820 4.6 20.3
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D-RC-02-017 108 114 640 7200 790 4.1 17.2
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D-RC-02-018 114 120 600 6700 840 4.7 20.0
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D-RC-02-019 120 126 630 7200 810 4.1 19.0
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D-RC-02-020 126 132 600 6600 980 5.0 21.7
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D-RC-02-021 132 135 610 6700 950 4.8 23.0
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D-RC-02-022 135 138 630 7000 910 4.4 17.5
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D-RC-02-023 138 144 610 6800 880 4.6 18.0
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D-RC-02-024 144 150 610 6700 960 4.9 19.7
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A sampling procedure was enforced by management to ensure sample integrity during the drill program. Where possible, brine and sediments samples were air lifted, and water restricted to the upper part of the hole before the water table was intercepted. Once brine bearing horizons were intercepted, drilling was halted and the drilling pipe lifted 2 feet or more to allow the total flushing of the internal pipe by means of air pressure for approximately ten minutes or until the brine appeared reasonably clean of sediment. After sufficient air lifting of the brine, a sample was collected in 500 ml sample bottles that had been washed three times with the brine. Liquid was also collected in five gallon buckets and the time of filling of the bucket recorded, in order to aid in quantifying the formational flow.
Rodinia has completed 9 drill holes on the newly discovered Salar de Diablillos basin. Generally, the holes intersected unconsolidated sand and gravel saturated with high salinity brines. Flow rates in the sand and gravels have been highly variable ranging from 40 litres per minute to 1,080 litres per minute, including artesian conditions in some drill holes. The Company intends to provide updated information on the remaining drill holes upon receipt of assay results from the laboratory.
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.
NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.
Contacts:
Investor Cubed Inc.
Neil Simon
+1 (647) 258-3310
Rodinia Lithium Inc.
Aaron Wolfe
Vice-President, Corporate Development
+1 (416) 309-2696
info@rodinialithium.com
www.rodinialithium.com