Patagonia Lithium’s Well 7 delivers strong porosity alignment between core and gamma surveys, with lithium levels near project averages. Preparations for Well 8 pump testing advance, while plans for Well 9 await regulatory approval.
- Well 7 porosity validates BMR Gamma survey results
- Lithium concentration at 270ppm close to project average
- Nine of 18 packer tests successful indicating variable aquifer flow
- Well 8 lined for upcoming 72-hour pump test
- Drilling of Well 9 planned pending Jujuy Mining Department approval
Core and Gamma Porosity Measurements Align at Well 7
Patagonia Lithium Ltd (ASX:PL3) has confirmed that porosity measurements from core samples taken at Well 7 closely match those derived from BMR Gamma porosity surveys, after adjustments for capillary water content. The total porosity recorded spans an impressive 15% to 42%, with specific yield (SY) ranging from 3% to 34%, underscoring the variability in aquifer properties within the well.
DBS&A laboratory analyses of two core intervals returned total porosity values of 30.9% and 33.4%, which sit comfortably within the BMR survey’s range, validating field lithological descriptions and confirming the reliability of the porosity data. This correlation is critical as it strengthens confidence in the reservoir’s capacity to yield lithium-rich brines.
Lithium Grades Near Project Average Support Resource Quality
Well 7 recorded a lithium concentration of 270ppm at 310 metres depth, just 26ppm shy of the project’s average of 296ppm. This result is encouraging, given the extensive sandy units intersected, over 102 metres, with specific yield values as high as 34%, which bode well for brine extraction rates.
The well’s stratigraphy reveals six distinct zones with varying porosity and specific yield characteristics. Notably, Zones 1 and 2 (30–138m) exhibit excellent hydraulic properties with SY values between 19% and 22%, while deeper zones show reduced specific yield due to volcanic intercalations and clay content. These geological nuances highlight the complex interplay between mineralogy and aquifer performance.
Packer Tests Show Variable Flow Rates and Aquifer Properties
Of 18 packer tests conducted in Well 7, nine were successful, reflecting heterogeneity in aquifer transmissivity. Flow rates ranged from 199.63 to 857 litres per hour, with lower flow rates corresponding to intervals with lower drainable porosity as measured by RBRC tests. This variability aligns with the geological zones identified and emphasizes the importance of detailed hydrogeological characterisation for resource modelling.
The distinction between different porosity components, clay bound, capillary, and free fluid volumes, explains discrepancies between RBRC and BMR specific yield values. The RBRC test, being more conservative, measures free fluid volume only, while BMR includes capillary water, offering a broader perspective on porosity.
Well 8 Preparation and Well 9 Drilling Plans
Meanwhile, Well 8 is progressing with the insertion of a 4-inch slotted PVC pipe at 424 metres depth to facilitate a 72-hour pump test, expected to provide further clarity on brine flow and resource potential. This step is crucial ahead of the Mineral Resource Estimate update planned for later this year.
Patagonia Lithium also intends to drill Well 9 to close out an undrilled 2km by 3km area, subject to approval from the Jujuy Mining Department. This expansion reflects the company’s methodical approach to delineating the resource and addressing geological variability across the concession.
Technical Rigour and Compliance with JORC Standards
The company has maintained rigorous sampling, logging, and assay protocols consistent with the 2012 JORC Code, ensuring data quality and reliability. Independent laboratories Alex Stewart and SGS have conducted lithium assays and porosity testing, with cross-validation confirming analytical accuracy. The Competent Person, Phillip Thomas, has certified the technical data and confirmed no material changes to prior Mineral Resource Estimates.
With a current Mineral Resource Estimate of 551,400 tonnes lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) at 294mg/L, including 14,800 tonnes indicated and 536,600 tonnes inferred, the new data from Well 7 reinforces the project’s resource base and provides a solid foundation for upcoming development phases.
Bottom Line?
The alignment of core and gamma porosity data at Well 7, coupled with lithium grades near project averages, bolsters confidence in Patagonia Lithium’s resource quality as it advances pump testing and prepares for further drilling.
Questions in the middle?
- How will Well 8’s upcoming 72-hour pump test refine lithium recovery estimates?
- What impact might geological heterogeneity have on scaling up extraction from the Formentera/Cilon project?
- When will regulatory approval for Well 9 drilling be secured, and how might it influence resource delineation?