Patagonia Lithium advances Cilon Well 8 drilling with promising porosity
Patagonia Lithium has reached 38 metres in drilling Well 8 at its Cilon project in Argentina, with encouraging early core porosity and community approvals progressing.
- Drilling reaches 38m with 600m target
- 30m steel casing installed for stability
- Environmental and community permits lodged
- High porosity sands observed in core samples
- 72-hour pump test planned before resource update
Steady Progress at Cilon Well 8
Patagonia Lithium Ltd (ASX:PL3) has pushed ahead with drilling at its Cilon Lithium Project in Jujuy, Argentina, reaching 38 metres depth at Well 8. The company is aiming for a 600-metre total depth, using HQ3 diameter core drilling with a 30-metre steel casing already inserted and concreted to maintain vertical stability. Early core samples reveal high porosity sands, a promising sign for lithium brine extraction potential.
Technical Details and Sampling Approach
The drilling employs a Boart Longyear LT190 rig with triple tube HQ3 core, achieving over 95% core recovery so far. The core from 30 to 38 metres consists of well-sorted fine brown sands dominated by quartz grains with minor mafic minerals, exhibiting strong visual porosity. Brine samples are being collected via a packer air lift system every 20 to 30 metres and sent to certified laboratories; Alex Stewart and Analytics NOA; for assay. A first packer assay test is scheduled at 70 metres depth.
Environmental and Community Milestones
Patagonia has lodged responses to its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and permit applications with the Department of Mining Jujuy, including a positive endorsement from the Secretariat of Indigenous Peoples on surface rights. Community engagement with the Olaroz community was successful, and minutes from that meeting have been submitted as part of the regulatory approval process. These steps are critical precursors to the upcoming UGAMP community and government meeting for construction signoff on the demonstration plant.
Next Steps Towards Resource Upgrade
The company plans a 72-hour pump test once the well is lined with slotted PVC pipe, intended to assess aquifer flow characteristics before updating the Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE). The current MRE stands at 551,400 tonnes lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) with an average lithium grade of 294 mg/L, comprising 14,800 tonnes indicated and 536,600 tonnes inferred. The drilling at Cilon is part of a broader program that includes nearby Formentera and Tomas III projects, with prior wells showing encouraging lithium assays and porosity results, underpinning the resource potential in this part of the lithium triangle.
Executive Chairman Phillip Thomas highlighted the drilling pace target of 25 metres per day and assay turnaround every 8 hours, noting the challenging weather conditions at altitude. The technical rigor and community engagement efforts reflect Patagonia Lithium’s methodical approach to advancing its lithium brine assets in Argentina.
Bottom Line?
The drilling and community approval progress at Cilon Well 8 set the stage for upcoming pump tests and resource updates that will better define the project's commercial potential.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the 72-hour pump test confirm sustainable aquifer flow rates at Cilon?
- How will assay results from Well 8 influence the next Mineral Resource Estimate update?
- What impact will community and government approvals have on the demonstration plant timeline?
