Patagonia Lithium has ramped up pumping rates at its Formentera-Cilon lithium brine project with a 58% increase from Well 2, while advancing drilling and testing at Wells 7 and 8. The progress supports ongoing resource upgrades and operational efficiencies.
- 58% pumping rate increase from Well 2 with minor pipe upgrade
- Well 7 lined and ready for maiden pump test, assay at 296ppm lithium
- Drilling underway at Well 8 on Cilon concession targeting high-grade zone
- Formentera-Cilon project covers 19.5km² in Argentina’s lithium triangle
- Solvent recycling technology could reduce processing costs significantly
Significant Pumping Gains at Well 2
Patagonia Lithium Ltd (ASX:PL3) has achieved a notable 58% increase in pumping rates from Well 2 at its flagship Formentera-Cilon lithium brine project in Jujuy Province, Argentina. This boost came with a modest 6.25mm increase in pipe diameter and installation of a 5,400L/hour pump, pushing flow rates beyond 4,000L/hour from an 80m depth. Similar upgrades at Wells 3 and 6 also improved flow rates by 23% and 29% respectively, underscoring the potential for incremental operational gains through relatively simple equipment enhancements.
Advancing Well 7 and Drilling Well 8
Well 7 has been lined with slotted PVC and is primed for its first pump test following an encouraging lithium assay of 296ppm at 310m depth. This continues the company’s methodical approach to validating aquifer productivity and lithium concentration. Meanwhile, drilling at Well 8 on the Cilon concession is underway, with the rig currently at 30m depth preparing for the insertion of a 6-inch steel casing. Executive Chairman Phil Thomas highlighted Well 8 as a key target given its compelling geophysical signature and promising subsurface assays, with the drill team maintaining an impressive 25m average daily advance of high-quality core recovery.
Geophysical Insights and Resource Implications
The Formentera-Cilon project spans approximately 19.5km² within the lithium triangle, a region renowned for its brine deposits. MT geophysics has delineated low resistivity zones indicative of lithium-rich brines, although drilling must navigate unstable ground saturated with brines, as evidenced by Well 8’s positioning adjacent to these zones. The company’s recent Mineral Resource Estimate update reported 551,400 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) with an average grade of 294mg/L, comprised of both Indicated and Inferred categories. These results, combined with improved pumping rates, suggest enhanced extraction potential that could underpin future production scenarios.
Operational Efficiency Through Solvent Recycling
During a recent site visit, Phil Thomas met with Jujuy Mining Secretary Pablo Bergese, a chemical engineer who reviewed the Ekosolve Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) system planned for the demonstration plant. A standout feature is the system’s ability to recycle 100% of solvents, which could drastically reduce processing capital expenditures to primarily electricity and labour costs. This innovation aligns with Patagonia Lithium’s strategy to optimise cost structures in what remains a capital-intensive sector.
Technical Rigor and Quality Assurance
The company has maintained stringent QA/QC protocols, with brine samples analysed by accredited laboratories including Alex Stewart and SGS, both ISO/IEC 17025:2017 certified. Sampling techniques involve packer airlift systems extracting 200L brine volumes, with duplicate samples and standards ensuring assay reliability. Detailed logging of core porosity, grain size, and lithology supports robust geological modelling. Vertical drilling and comprehensive geophysical surveys underpin the understanding of horizontal brine layers, critical for accurate resource estimation.
Bottom Line?
Patagonia Lithium’s enhanced pumping rates and ongoing drilling at Formentera-Cilon reinforce its resource potential, but upcoming pump tests and assay results from Wells 7 and 8 will be pivotal in confirming commercial viability.
Questions in the middle?
- Will Well 7’s maiden pump test confirm sustained high lithium flow rates?
- How will solvent recycling impact the overall processing costs and project economics?
- Can drilling at Well 8 validate the high-grade geophysical targets and expand the resource base?