The Laguna Verde Project features a hypersaline lake covering 15.2km² at the low point of the basin with a large sub-surface.
The Company aims to bring this project into production in 2026.
The project is considered highly commercial at the JORC resource estimates provided, with 1.8mt equating to a multi-decade production opportunity. The six well drilling programme undertaken encountered average grades of lithium of 200mg/L and recorded up to 409mg/L at depth, suggesting the potential for higher grades at depth.
JORC Resource | Measured | Indicated | M+I | Inferred | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lithium (million tons LCE) | 0.5 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 1.8 |
Grade (mg/L Li3CO2) | 199 | 194 | 196 | 208 | 200 |
A scoping study was also completed in December 2022 where results highlighted the robust economics for a 20,000tpa over a 30-year period with low operating costs and calculated net cash flows of US$6.3 billion.
Drilling also indicated a strong geothermal influence on the brines at Laguna Verde, with average temperatures recorded of 20-30°C, matching the ideal temperature range for the DLE process.
The total licence area is 217km2 of which 29km2 are mining licences held under an Option Agreement and 188km2 are exploitation and exploration licences. Laguna Verde is connected to Copiapó and Caldera via the international highway 31 which runs adjacent to the property and is a paved highway. The Laguna Verde Project is located at an altitude of 4,330m, there are no indigenous or other communities within 100km of the project.
Resource estimate
Average grade of
with up to
recorded at depth