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American Lithium Reports Low Magnesium Grades in Lithium Enriched Surface Brines at Fish Lake Valley North Playa

Posted by on Oct 21, 2016 in Industry News | 0 comments

VANCOUVER, Oct. 21, 2016 – American Lithium Corp. (TSXV: Li) (OTCQB: LiACF) (Frankfurt: 5LA; WKN: A2AHEL) (“American Lithium” or the “Company”), is pleased to report that further testing on the surface brines has reported low magnesium (Mg) concentrations and overall an inverse relationship between lithium (Li) and magnesium grades.

Sample # Li mg/L Mg mg/L Sample # Li mg/L Mg mg/L
1431001 434 0.4 1431013 385 0.1
1431002 321 0.4 1431014 503 <0.1
1431003 537 0.3 1431015 369 <0.1
1431004 479 0.3 1431016 397 0.1
1431005 510 0.3 1431017 102 0.6
1431006 398 0.2 1431018 47.9 0.2
1431007 401 0.6 1431019 94.2 0.1
1431008 488 0.7 1431020 24.5 0.9
1431009 380 0.2 1431021 23.8 0.6
1431010 47.0 0.6 1431022 2.4 30.8
1431011 382 0.1 1431023 98.7 0.8
1431012 286 0.2 1431024 412 1.0
Detection limits of 0.1mg/L for both Li and Mg

As previously reported in the Company’s Oct. 12, 2016 press release, a total of 24 samples reported grades ranging from 537 to 24.6 mg/L Li and an average of 292.9 mg/L Li and the lowest grade sample was 2.4 mg/L Li.  These samples were subsequently tested for 24 additional elements including magnesium.  Magnesium grades ranged from 30.8 to trace mg/L Mg with an average grade of 1.9 mg/L Mg.  As can be seen in the table above, there is an inverse relationship between Li and Mg grades.

As the presence of magnesium can impede the extraction of lithium carbonate from a brine solution, discovering low Mg/Li ratios is an important fundamental in exploration for economic lithium brines.

The primary value of this information is the potential of near surface brines at American Lithium’s North Playa Fish Lake project to be able to avoid the need to remove the Mg before any potential concentration and purification of Lithium can take place.  The secondary value is that the North Playa mineralization is an atypical mineralizing system and there may be potential for the separation of lithium from the associated playa clays. These clays are not typical Hectorite clays which generally require high energy to separate lithium from the clay.  The Company intends to embark on a series of tests to identify the type of bonding in the lithium in the North Playa clays and estimate the energy needed to separate the lithium from the clays.

“These sampling results suggest that the North Playa is a unique lithium enriched system and the Company will continue to work to define the economic potential of lithium enriched brines and clays in the Fish Lake Valley,” commented Michael Kobler, Executive Director and COO of American Lithium.  “This new information will continue to drive our exploration program as we work to advance our projects in the Fish Lake and Clayton Valleys, Nevada.”

Previous near surface brines were sampled using a conventional hand held auger to sample sub surface brines at a depth of 78″ (2m). The brine was sampled at the bottom of the auger hole and then separated from residual clays before being sent for analysis.  For the expanded near surface brine sampling program the Company has developed a new methodology for sampling.  Instead of an auger system, a four inch diameter pipe is driven into the ground to a depth of approximately 55″ (1.4m) and then pulled out of the hole, (see news release Aug. 11, 2016).  A 2.5″ (6.3cm) perforated pvc pipe is placed in the hole to keep it open while clay solids settle to the bottom of the hole.  The brine is then sampled just above the settled material at the bottom of the hole.  Samples are collected and shipped to Florin Analytical Services in Reno, Nevada where the lithium content is measured by ICP analysis with an atomic absorption finish, all other analysis is measured by ICP analysis with a Mass spectrometry finish.

Michael Collins, P.Geo. is the Company’s designated Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release.

ABOUT American Lithium Corp.
American Lithium Corp. is actively engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of lithium deposits within mining-friendly jurisdictions throughout the Americas.  American Lithium holds options to acquire Nevada lithium brine claims totaling 22,332 acres (9,038 ha), including 18,552 contiguous acres (7,508 ha) in Fish Lake Valley, Esmeralda County; 2,240 acre (907 ha) San Emidio Project in Washoe County; and the 1,540 acre (623 ha) Clayton-Valley-1 Project.  The Company’s Fish Lake Valley lithium brine properties are located approximately 38 kilometers from Albemarle’s Silver Peak, the largest lithium operation in the U.S., approximately 3.5 hours from the Tesla Gigafactory.  American Lithium is listed on the TSXV under the trading symbol “Li“.  For further information, please visit the Company’s website at www.americanlithiumcorp.com.

On behalf of the Board,

American Lithium Corp.

Michael Kobler, Executive Director

Source: American Lithium Corp.