Usha Resources Announces Completion of Site Visit by Drill Contractor at the Jackpot Lake Lithium Brine Project
November 21, 2022 - Usha Resources Ltd. (“USHA” or the “Company”) (TSXV: USHA) (OTCQB: USHAF) (FSE: JO0) , a North American mineral acquisition and exploration company focused on the development of drill-ready battery and precious metal projects, is pleased to announce that Harris Exploration, the drill contractor, has completed a site visit to review drill locations and has informed the Company that they will shortly mobilize their drill rig and commence construction of access roads and drill pads in preparation for the start of drilling for the Company’s near-term drill program at its Jackpot Lake lithium brine project (the “Project”) in Nevada.
The Company has permitted 2,700 metres over 6 holes with the goal of defining a 43-101 resource through drilling the geophysical target at Jackpot Lake where historical work suggests the presence of a highly concentrated brine. The Project’s geologic model is similar to that of Albemarle’s Silver Peak Nevada Lithium Mine, the only producing lithium mine in North America, which has operated continuously since 1966, where sediments from lithium‑rich surrounding source rocks accumulate and fill the deposit leading to a potential concentration of lithium brine due to successive evaporation and concentration events.
Deepak Varshney, CEO of Usha Resources stated: “We are very excited to begin exploration at Jackpot Lake and look forward to the start of drilling. With our geographical advantage on US soil, we believe that this project is part of the journey we will need to take in North America to secure a domestic supply of lithium and commencing exploratory drilling is the next step in achieving our Company goal to become a top-tier North American lithium producer. With a well-funded treasury, we anticipate the coming months to be extremely active and we look forward to a busy and productive field season at Jackpot Lake as we also proceed with our other catalysts including the Nicobat Nickel spinout.”
Jackpot Lake Lithium Brine Property
The Jackpot Lake Lithium Brine Property is located within Clark County, 35 kilometres northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada, and is comprised of 140 mineral claims that total 2,800 acres (approximately 11.3 km 2 ).
The geologic model is similar to that of Albemarle’s Silver Peak Nevada Lithium Mine, the only producing lithium mine in North America, which has operated continuously since 1966, where sediments from lithium‑rich surrounding source rocks accumulate and fill the deposit leading to a potential concentration of lithium brine due to successive evaporation and concentration events.
The Company has permitted 2,700 metres over 6 holes and intends on commencing its maiden drill program with the goal of defining a 43-101 resource.
The project target is an approximately 5 x 2 kilometre anomaly identified based on the following work that suggests the presence of a highly concentrated brine:
129 core samples collected by the USGS with an average lithium value of 175 ppm with a high of 550 ppm and spectrographic and atomic-absorption analyses of 135 stream sediment samples confirming the potential for lithium mineral deposits. The present average grade for Albemarle’s project is approximately 121 ppm.
Gravitational surveying which has identified a closed basin, critical for ensuring brines remain within the basin without dilution from external water sources.
Geophysical modelling based upon gravitational and controlled source audio magnetotellurics/magnetotellurics (CSAMT/MT) surveys has provided evidence of highly concentrated brines which are relatively near the surface. The CSAMT survey results of the Jackpot Lake Project demonstrate a large consistent body of very low resistivity - consistent with highly concentrated brine behavior - throughout the property, predominantly above bedrock depths of 625 meters.
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