Vancouver, British Columbia – TheNewswire – April 26, 2021 - Bearing Lithium Corp. (“Bearing” or the “Company”) (TSXV:BRZ) (OTC:BLILF) is pleased to provide a Maricunga resource expansion activity update on as announced by Minera Salar Blanco (“MSB”).
Highlights
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- Drilling program ahead of schedule with three exploration core holes (s-25, S-26 and S27) completed to the target depth of 400m and core hole #4 now passing 300m. Completion now expected by early May.
- A total of 31 undisturbed core samples collected from core holes S-25 and S-26 have been sent to GeoSystems Labs in the US for drainable porosity and other hydraulic parameters.
- 56 brine samples collected and sent to Andes Analytical Assay Labs for chemical analysis. Positive preliminary sample analysis indicates average lithium concentrates above 1,000 ppm and positive for improvement have been detected.
- Activities for the DFS update with Worley commenced during the first week of April. Several opportunities for improvement have been detected.
- Optimisation of the production process continues with GEA Messo in Germany. Final tests for the SX Removal plant and the Ion Exchange plant now finalized (Outotec and Eurodia respectively). Basic engineering already commenced by GEA for the re-sizing of the plant.
Bearing Lithium Corp. is pleased to provide an update on exploration activities and the preliminary results from the Maricunga Lithium Brine Project, located in Chile.
As announced on January 27, 2021, Minera Salar Blanco commenced additional exploration at the Maricunga Project with the aim of expanding the current resource, which is presently just from near surface to 200m depth, but will now include the interval between 200m and 400m.
Minera Salar Blanco has now completed three out of five diamond core holes (S-25, S-26, and S-27) to the target depth of 400m. The fourth core hole is now being drilled with completion of the fifth exploration hole is expected for early May, two weeks ahead of schedule.
The first set of 31 undisturbed core samples collected from holes S-25 and S-26 have been sent to the GeoSystems Analysis laboratories in Tucson, Arizona and the results of drainable porosity and other hydraulic parameters are expected by the middle of May.
Of a total of 56 brine samples collected at 12m intervals during the drilling, 20 samples have been sent to Andes Analytical Assay for analysis. Preliminary analysis shows average lithium concentrations above 1,000 ppm and positive lithium/calcium/magnesium ratios.
Optimisation of the production process continues with GEA Messo in Germany, with basic engineering already commenced for the re-sizing of the plant to 15, 000 t/a LCE production. Final tests for the Solvent Extraction (SX)Removal plant and for the Ion Exchange plant were finalized with Outotec (Finland) and Eurodia (France) respectively.
Exploration activities are on schedule as shown on the Exploration Program below (Figure 1).
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A 200m water well was also drilled by Andinor early April for freshwater testing activities. Drilling of a 400m deep production well for the long-term pump test planned continues and has reached a 35% stage of advancement. A third shift was now added by Andinor to continue with the schedule as projected.
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The kick-off meeting for the DFS update of the Stage One was conducted with Worley the first week of April. Several possible areas of improvement have been identified. Engineering work will focus initially on the re-sizing of the evaporation ponds where opportunities to reduce the capital expenditure related to this item have already been detected.
Minera Salar Blanco’s Chief Executive Officer, Cristobal Garcia-Huidobro, commented:
“We are very pleased with the positive results to date and the progress of the drilling activities with more 70% of the work completed. Commencement of the DFS update by Worley and the basic engineering by GEA will allow the planned schedule to be achieved.”
About Bearing Lithium Corp.
Bearing Lithium Corp. is a lithium-focused mineral exploration and development company. Its primary asset is a 17.35% interest in the Maricunga Lithium Brine Project in Chile. The Maricunga Project represents one of the highest-grade lithium brine salars globally and the only pre-production project in Chile. Over $US 60 million has been invested in the Maricunga Project. All Project Expenditures through to the delivery of a Definitive Feasibility Study in January 2019 have been fully funded by the 51% earn-in joint-venture partner, Lithium Power International.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Signed "Gil Playford”
Gil Playford, Chairman
gplayford@bearinglithium.com
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information
This press release includes certain "forward-looking information” and "forward-looking statements” (collectively "forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating the future operating or financial performance of the Company, are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects”, "anticipates”, "believes”, "intends”, "estimates”, "potential”, "possible”, and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will”, "may”, "could”, or "should” occur or be achieved.. Actual future results may differ materially. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these times. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.
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