Anson Resources Reports Lithium Grades Up to 148ppm from Mt Fuel-Skyline Geyser Drilling Fluids
Anson Resources has recorded lithium grades of up to 148ppm from drilling fluids at its Mt Fuel-Skyline Geyser well in Utah, supporting a significant upgrade to its Green River Lithium Project resource estimate.
- Lithium grades of 148ppm recorded from drilling fluids at Mt Fuel-Skyline Geyser well
- Drilling program faced technical challenges, limiting full penetration of target horizons
- Data and 3D modelling submitted for JORC resource estimate upgrade
- Results align with higher-grade expectations near fault lines south of the well
- Concurrent progress on engineering, approvals, and financing for production
Lithium Assays from Drilling Fluids Exceed Previous Benchmarks
Anson Resources (ASX:ASN) has revealed lithium assay results reaching 148ppm from drilling fluids recovered during its re-entry program at the Mt Fuel-Skyline Geyser 1-25 well in Utah. This figure surpasses the 138.9ppm recorded at the nearby Bosydaba #1 well, reinforcing the company’s expectation of higher lithium grades closer to the Graben fault system just south of the Mt Fuel-Skyline site.
The drilling fluids were collected from the Mississippian Units within the Leadville Formation at depths between 9,189ft and 9,239ft. While the program was curtailed by technical difficulties before fully penetrating the Mississippian Unit or sampling the deeper Paradox Formation, the fluid assays provide a valuable proxy for brine lithium content. Anson’s geological team notes that similar drilling fluid assays at Bosydaba #1 closely matched raw brine samples, lending credibility to the current results.
Resource Upgrade Supported by 3D Modelling and Third-Party Review
Alongside the assay data, Anson has integrated historical drilling information into 3D geological models estimating the Mississippian Units at Mt Fuel-Skyline Geyser to be between 650 and 660 feet thick. These thickness estimates, combined with the lithium grades, have been forwarded to an independent firm tasked with revising the Green River Lithium Project’s JORC Mineral Resource estimate.
The company anticipates a significant uplift in its resource base, applying lithium grades consistent with Bosydaba #1 across the project’s area of influence including Mt Fuel-Skyline Geyser. This move follows earlier resource announcements and fits into a broader push to enhance asset value through improved geological understanding and resource quantification.
Technical Challenges and Operational Adaptability
The drilling program encountered unexpected geological and pressure-related obstacles, which prevented the originally planned re-entry and forced a pivot to a side-track drilling approach. Despite these setbacks, Anson’s team successfully collected sufficient fluid samples for assay, demonstrating operational agility and technical expertise in a challenging environment.
Executive Chairman and CEO Bruce Richardson highlighted the complexity of the program, noting the company’s simultaneous efforts on engineering studies, government approvals, and financing strategies for a full-scale lithium production plant. This multifaceted approach aims to translate exploration success into tangible shareholder value.
Strategic Positioning Amid Broader Project Developments
The Green River Lithium Project remains a focal point for Anson, with claims and leases held in good standing covering nearly 6,000 hectares. The company’s recent drilling and assay results complement ongoing activities at other Utah projects, including the Yellow Cat Uranium Vanadium Project, where Anson recently confirmed extensive mineralisation over a 2,500-metre strike length. This broader resource development campaign underscores Anson’s commitment to advancing its portfolio across multiple critical minerals, positioning it well within the evolving US energy metals landscape.
The positive drilling fluid assays from Mt Fuel-Skyline Geyser thus add a critical piece to the puzzle, supporting the company’s resource upgrade ambitions and feeding into its strategic plans for lithium production. The revised JORC resource estimate, expected following third-party review, will be a key milestone to watch as Anson navigates the next phase of project development.
Bottom Line?
Anson’s drilling fluid assays mark a promising step towards a resource upgrade, but the incomplete drilling highlights the need for further sampling to fully validate lithium potential.
Questions in the middle?
- Will Anson secure direct brine samples from Mt Fuel-Skyline Geyser to confirm lithium grades beyond drilling fluids?
- How will the forthcoming JORC resource revision impact Anson’s financing and development timelines for the Green River project?
- What operational lessons from the Mt Fuel drilling challenges will influence future exploration strategies in the Paradox Basin?
