Applications for the Arenas Blancas project cover a total area of 377 km2 (Figure 1).
Arenas Blancas project is located on the boundary of the Salar de Atacama, which is by far the largest lithium production base in the world producing approximately 25% of the world´s battery grade lithium. Unlike the Laguna Verde and Viento Andino projects, under Chile´s National Lithium strategy, the Salar de Atacama has been designated a strategic asset which means any commercial development will require a joint venture with a state entity holding a majority (51%) stake. The Company welcomes this framework for any potential development in such a strategically important site.
Initial geophysical work is underway to determine the size of the opportunity. Further development work will be carried out with engagement with local stakeholders.
Information derived from publicly available Environmental Studies, suggests that the lithium-rich brine deposits extend beyond the core salar region inside the basin. This underscores the promising potential for CTL´s applications in these areas of significant prospective lithium reserves.
Transient Electro Magnetic (TEM) and Magnetotellurics (MT) lines, as part of a geophysics programme, have commenced with the geophysics contractor having already completed a section of seven stations spaced 200m apart on the first west-east transect located on the southern licence block. The resistivity profile based on the completed section extends to 1,200m in depth, as shown in Figure 2.
The profile shows a low resistivity anomaly starting from a depth of 400m with an approximate thickness of 200m which deepens to the south-east. This is interpreted to be a sub-surface hypersaline aquifer which provides a target for further exploration evaluation.
Exploration and any potential development activities by Grin Power will focus on the deeper aquifer outside the salar margin and on introducing a new model for sustainable lithium extraction in the basin, utilising DLE technology where the spent brine is reinjected into the basin aquifers minimising aquifer depletion.
Total area of application
UP TO
of global battery grade lithium
