Can Formentera’s High Porosity Zones Deliver on Patagonia Lithium’s Production Promise?

Strong Porosity and Aquifer Zones Confirmed

Patagonia Lithium Ltd has released compelling results from its Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) survey conducted on borehole JAM 24-01 at the Formentera Lithium Brine Project in Argentina. The survey recorded a maximum total porosity of 44% and a specific yield of 32%, with an average porosity of 28% and specific yield of 9%. These figures are consistent with the values used in the company's maiden Mineral Resource Estimate announced earlier this year.

The NMR data delineated four distinct aquifer zones, with a particularly substantial aquifer extending over 140 metres between 220m and 360m depth. This thick, high-porosity zone is critical for sustaining strong production rates, as evidenced by pump tests demonstrating flow rates of 2,500 litres per hour at wells spaced just 300 metres apart.

Lithium Concentrations Increase with Depth

Complementing the porosity data, lithium assays from the borehole samples show increasing lithium concentrations with depth, peaking at 591 parts per million (ppm). These assay results, conducted by SGS Laboratory, reinforce the project's potential to deliver economically viable lithium extraction from brine deposits.

Executive Chairman Phillip Thomas highlighted the significance of these findings, noting that the specific yield values represent the drainable portion of the brine, which is a key factor for production feasibility. The high porosity and specific yield zones identified by the NMR survey provide confidence in the project's capacity to support sustained lithium production.

Strategic Location for Production Wells

The survey results have also confirmed that the locations of wells JAM 24-01 and JAM 24-02 are optimal for future production wells, given their superior porosity and lithium assay profiles. These wells are situated near the proposed lithium carbonate plant site, streamlining potential development and operational logistics.

Patagonia Lithium's Formentera project, located in the lithium-rich Salar de Jama region of Argentina's Jujuy Province, is part of the company's broader portfolio that includes the Cilon and Tomas III projects. Since listing in March 2023, Patagonia Lithium has rapidly advanced exploration activities, including surface sampling, geophysics, and drilling programs, all pointing to promising resource potential.

Looking Ahead

The company plans to incorporate the new porosity and assay data into an updated Mineral Resource Estimate, expected to further validate and potentially expand the resource base. This update will be a critical milestone as Patagonia Lithium moves toward defining the project's production parameters and advancing toward development.