Full size / Despite a small dust storm, deep drilling of the first hole to find lithium-bearing aquifers has started at Kibby Basin, Nevada. 

After arrival and set-up of the rotary rig, the drill contractor Harris Exploration Drilling and Associates Inc. commenced deep drilling at the Kibby Lithium Project in Nevada, a recently formed joint venture between MGX Minerals Inc. (market capitalization: $96 million CAD) and Belmont Resources Inc. (market capitalization: $8 million CAD). 

The Clayton Valley is home of the only US lithium producer, Abemarle’s Silver Peak Mine, located 50 km to the south of the Kibby Basin. MGX’s rapid lithium extration technology does not require large ponds to evaporate hundreds of millions of gallons of water as being the case at Silver Peak. 

Last year, Belmont tested the Kibby Basin with shallow drilling, encountering up to 200 ppm lithium in sediments, which is a great indication that a near-by aquifer has been enriched with lithium leached from such sediments. Exploratory drilling in the Clayton Valley typically also encounters lithium-enriched sediments, whereafter targeted aquifers commonly host the lithium-rich pay zones.

Full size / The truck carrying the RC rig arrived at the drill target on the Kibby Flat. Another truck carrying a generator to run the mud system also arrived. Set-up of the drill rig and the generator was completed after arrival. 

According to MGX’s press-release today, 8 drill targets were generated based on results from a Quantec MT geophysical survey completed in January. The proposed drill holes are designed to test a large strong MT conductor, which may represent aquifers containing lithium brines. Holes have been designed to intercept the MT anomaly starting at depths of 325 m (1065 ft.) and continuing to as much as 760 m (2500 ft.) with the objectives of determining the nature of the conductor, collecting sediment samples for lithium analyses, identifying aquifers, and sampling water and any brines encountered. 

Harris has extensive experience drilling in the Clayton Valley lithium brines, in recovering core in unconsolidated lakebed sediments, and in lithium brine testing. Drill samples will be collected continuously on 3 m (10 ft) intervals and analyzed for lithium and associated elements. Water samples will be collected periodically as the hole progresses and will be analyzed for lithium, associated elements, and physical properties (conductivity, pH, TDS). Downhole geophysical logging will be performed by Southwest Exploration Services of Chandler, Arizona, to identify permeable/aquifer zones and zones of conductivity. Aquifer water will be sampled using downhole packers to isolate the aquifer intervals.

Full size / Geologic research of the Kibby Basin has indicated that proximal rhyolitic flows and tuffs surrounding the basin could be a potential source of lithium brine in the Kibby Basis Playa. In addition, the Kibby Basin is located within a geothermal cluster at a basin low setting. Regional geophysical signatures in the area reflect similar anomalies comparative to that of Clayton Valley, approximately 50 km to the south, location of Abermarle’s Silver Peak Mine, the only North American lithium producer.

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