Record-Breaking Porosity Readings Validate Lithium Resource Potential
Patagonia Lithium (ASX:PL3) has announced exceptional results from its Nuclear Borehole Magnetic Resonance (NMR) survey at the JAM 24-01 well in its Formentera Lithium Brine Project in Argentina. The survey recorded a maximum total porosity of 44% and specific yield of 32% – figures that substantially validate the company's maiden Mineral Resource Estimate of 717,000 tonnes of lithium metal equivalent in-situ.
The NMR survey conducted at the well, drilled to a depth of 376m in the southwest section of the Formentera concession, revealed an average total porosity of 28% and average specific yield porosity of 9%. Most significantly, the survey delineated four distinct aquifer zones, with the deepest zone between 220-364m showing substantial free water flow over a remarkable 140-meter thickness.
"These NMR porosity results are excellent and reflect the high porosity zone delineated in the Mineral Resource Estimate. Sustaining pump rates of 2,500L/hour and high porosity at well 1 and 2 demonstrates the production scope at this location as wells 1 and 2 are only 300m apart," stated Executive Chairman Phillip Thomas.
Aquifer Zones Show Exceptional Porosity Characteristics
The NMR survey revealed four distinct aquifer zones with varying porosity and specific yield properties:
| Zone | Interval (m) | Maximum Porosity (%) | Average Porosity (%) | Maximum Specific Yield (%) | Average Specific Yield (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 34-110 | 44 | 31 | 32 | 7 |
| 2 | 110-140 | 42 | 26 | 21 | 9 |
| 3 | 140-220 | 41 | 27 | 24 | 6 |
| 4 | 220-364 | 28 | 28 | 12 | 12 |
These results align with the increasing lithium values observed in the well, which reached 591 ppm at depths between 339.5-361.2m. The correlation between high porosity zones and lithium concentration makes the JAM 24-01 and JAM 24-02 well location ideal for production well placement.
Understanding Specific Yield: The Key to Lithium Brine Production
In lithium brine projects, specific yield (sometimes called "drainable porosity") is one of the most critical parameters that determines commercial viability. While total porosity measures all void spaces in the rock, specific yield specifically measures the amount of fluid that can be extracted through pumping.
Specific yield is essentially the percentage of the rock volume that will freely drain under gravity or pumping. For lithium brine projects, higher specific yield means:
- More extractable brine per volume of aquifer
- Faster extraction rates
- Lower pumping costs
- More efficient resource recovery
The 9% average specific yield reported in the Patagonia Lithium Formentera project news is considered excellent for lithium brine projects. For context, many producing lithium brine operations work with specific yields in the 5-10% range. The maximum reading of 32% in zone one is exceptional and indicates portions of the aquifer with extremely favourable production characteristics.
Drilling Program Continues to Deliver Outstanding Results
Patagonia Lithium's drilling program at Formentera has consistently delivered promising results. The lithium assays from JAM 24-01 show a clear trend of increasing lithium concentration with depth:
| Sample | Depth (m) | Lithium (ppm) | Mg:Li ratio | Flow rate (L/Min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 170.5-173.5 | 237 | 3.55 | 5.71 |
| 9 | 215.5-221.5 | 316 | 2.93 | 3.44 |
| 10 | 260.5-266.5 | 485 | 1.90 | 2.38 |
| 11 | 278.5-279.7 | 502 | 1.81 | 3.9 |
| 13 | 317-329.5 | 539 | 1.79 | 7.14 |
| 14 | 339.5-361.2 | 591 | 1.49 | 7.4 |
Particularly noteworthy is the decreasing magnesium-to-lithium ratio with depth, reaching as low as 1.49 in the deepest zone. Lower Mg:Li ratios are highly favourable for processing, as magnesium impurities can significantly increase processing costs.
Strategic Location Enhances Project Economics
The JAM 24-01 well is strategically located near the proposed plant location in the southwest section of the Formentera concession. The proximity of high-porosity, high-lithium zones to planned production infrastructure could enhance project economics by reducing capital requirements for brine transport.
The company has identified this location as ideal for a production well, given the exceptional porosity and lithium values discovered at both JAM 24-01 and nearby JAM 24-02 wells, which are only 300 meters apart. The company plans to establish a 1,000-tonne lithium carbonate plant in the vicinity.
Future Growth Catalysts for Patagonia Lithium
Patagonia Lithium has built momentum since its ASX listing in March 2023. The company has:
- Completed surface sampling and MT geophysics
- Completed drill holes JAM 24-01, 24-02, 24-03, and 24-04
- Recorded lithium values up to 1,100 ppm at Formentera
- Secured approval for a 10-hole drill program at Formentera and a three-well program at Cilon
- Established a maiden resource estimate of 717,000 tonnes of lithium metal equivalent
With the latest NMR survey results confirming high porosity and exceptional specific yield values, Patagonia plans to upgrade its mineral resource estimate. The company is also positioned with its second major lithium brine project at Tomas III at Incahuasi Salar in Salta Province.
Recent Patagonia Lithium Formentera project news has consistently demonstrated the property's potential to become a significant lithium production asset in Argentina's renowned "Lithium Triangle."
Why Investors Should Take Notice
Patagonia Lithium represents a potentially compelling investment opportunity for several key reasons:
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Resource definition progress: From listing to maiden resource in just over a year, with consistent high-grade results
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Exceptional porosity characteristics: The 44% maximum porosity and 32% maximum specific yield are indicators of potential high-production rates
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Favourable chemistry: The decreasing Mg:Li ratio with depth (as low as 1.49) suggests potential for economical processing
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Strategic project location: Situated in Argentina's "Lithium Triangle," home to some of the world's largest lithium production advancement opportunities
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Development pathway: With production well locations identified and a plant location selected, the company is advancing methodically
As global demand for lithium continues to grow with the electrification of transportation and expansion in energy storage, Patagonia Lithium Formentera project news suggests the company is positioning itself as a potential future supplier in the lithium market with its results at the Formentera project.
Furthermore, investors looking for diversified resource exposure might also consider other promising developments in the mining sector, such as the major copper-gold discovery recently announced by Great Western Exploration. In addition, companies like Vital Metals have also been making progress with their rare earths project development, showcasing the broader activity in the critical minerals space.
The resource sector continues to show promising exploration results, with Nex Metals recently expanding their gold project with 27 new targets, highlighting the ongoing opportunities in the exploration landscape.
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