Anson Resources has applied for 17 additional SITLA blocks adjacent to its Green River Lithium Project, potentially boosting its JORC resource by 18.4% without further drilling. The move aligns with plans to update the resource estimate by Q3 2026 and supports upcoming project financing efforts.
- Application for 17 additional SITLA blocks covering 3,958 acres
- Potential 18.4% increase in Green River project land area
- Blocks fall within JORC Resource Area of Interest for update
- JORC resource upgrade expected in Q3 2026 without new drilling
- Supports Definitive Feasibility Study and 2027 project funding plans
Strategic Land Expansion Targets Resource Growth
Anson Resources (ASX:ASN) has lodged an application to acquire 17 additional mineral rights blocks from Utah’s School and Institutional Trust Land Administration (SITLA), adding nearly 4,000 acres to its Green River Lithium Project. This represents an 18.4% expansion of the project’s land footprint in the Paradox Basin, a region already noted for lithium-rich brines.
The new blocks sit immediately adjacent to Anson’s existing private land parcels and the planned processing plant site, all within the Area of Interest for the company’s recently upgraded JORC resource estimate. Crucially, Anson expects to incorporate these blocks into the next resource update without the need for costly and time-consuming drilling campaigns.
Cost-Efficient Resource Upgrade on Track for Q3 2026
The application, submitted as an "Other Business Administration" lease, is designed to fast-track tenure approval for strategic projects. If SITLA grants the lease as anticipated in August, Anson will commission an independent consultant to review and revise the JORC resource estimate by the third quarter of 2026.
This approach dovetails with Anson’s strategy to manage capital prudently by leveraging existing geological and assay data, including results from the Bosydaba #1 and Mt Fuel-Skyline Geyser wells. These wells confirmed lithium concentrations exceeding 120 ppm in brine samples, underpinning the company’s confidence in the resource potential.
Exploration Target Highlights Substantial Lithium Potential
Alongside the tenure expansion, Anson disclosed an exploration target for the newly applied blocks, estimating 235 to 240 million tons of brine with lithium grades between 100 and 130 ppm. This translates to a potential 23,500 to 31,200 tonnes of lithium metal or 125,000 to 166,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent.
While the exploration target remains conceptual and distinct from a formal mineral resource, it reflects the geological continuity observed in historical oil and gas wells nearby, which intersected thick Mississippian units known to host lithium-bearing brines. The company’s geological modelling integrates these data, suggesting promising upside in the expanded area.
Resource Growth to Support Project Financing and Development
Anson’s Executive Chairman Bruce Richardson emphasised the significance of increasing the JORC resource without additional drilling: "This demonstrates the company’s approach to managing its capital resources in a responsible manner to provide increased shareholder value." He noted that a larger resource base could extend mine life, enhancing the project’s appeal to debt and equity investors.
The resource upgrade will feed directly into the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) currently underway, which aims to refine project economics and underpin funding efforts targeted for 2027. This follows recent milestones including securing permits for a 10,000 tonne per annum lithium carbonate plant and advancing engineering studies with industry partners.
Bottom Line?
Anson’s application for additional SITLA tenure could boost its lithium resource estimate cost-effectively, setting the stage for a more robust DFS and funding push in 2027.
Questions in the middle?
- Will SITLA approve the OBA lease application on schedule in August?
- How significantly will the new blocks enhance the overall JORC resource once reviewed?
- Could further integration of historical drilling data to the north and west materially increase resource confidence?