VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MGX Minerals Inc. (“MGX” or the “Company”) (CSE: XMG / OTCQB: MGXMF / FSE: 1MG) announces the joint-venture partner Belmont Resources (TSX.V: BEA) (“Belmont”) has reported assay samples up to 580 ppm lithium in the first layer of 125 samples taken to 1,270 feet at the Kibby Basin lithium brine project (“Kibby”) in Nevada. The highest concentration of lithium occurred between 960 and 1270 feet, including 1110 to 1210 feet where overall average was 415ppm lithium.
The borehole targeted the southern portion of a large robust MT conductor, which may represent saturated sediments containing lithium-rich brines. The hole drilled through lacustrine playa sediments- dominantly calcareous clays and silts grading to lithified claystone’s and siltstones at depth. Sand and gravel zones, which may represent brine-bearing aquifers, were encountered at depths of 150-170 feet, 210-230 feet, 260-300 feet, and 900-920 feet, where a potentially major aquifer in a cobble gravel was intersected. Analysis suggests that a hard chert-cobble layer at a depth of 90-915 feet separates soft red-brown coloured oxidized mud-silt-(minor gravel) playa sediments from underlying grey-green reduced clay-silt-(minor sand) sediments and minor volcanic ash layers. The reducing-oxidizing boundary is well-defined by a chert-cobble layer and Li values increase significantly in the reduced layer below it.
Table 1. Kibby Basin Drill Hole #3
| From | To | Width | Notes |
| 900’ | 915’ | 15’ | Chert-Cobble layer |
| 970’ | 1210’ | 240’ | Dark grey-green clay-silt average 390 ppm Li (reference ALS certificate RE18197540) |
| 1270’ | 1800’ | 530’ | Numerous sections of grey-green reduced clay-silt and intercalated ash tuff layers - geochemical analysis pending |
At deeper layers, thin intervals of altered rhyolite ash and possible hot-spring sinter were encountered at 1411-1412 feet, 1488-1490 feet and 1589.5-1590 feet. Operation of a paleo-geothermal system is evidenced by the silicified intervals and fronts of pyrite alteration increasing below a depth of 1500 feet.
Hole KB-3 was drilled by mud rotary methods to a depth of 1270 feet. The hole was completed as a core tail to a total depth of 1798 feet. The hole diameter was reduced to 3-5/8 inches to drill HQ (2.5-inch diameter) core. 25 samples of representative core were selected for assay from this lower part of the drilling and were delivered to ALS Labs in Reno, Nevada on August 31, 2018 for 41-element ICP analysis (including Li). Samples were of ash layers, silicified sediments, and high pyrite and magnetite zones. 10 water samples were collected at various levels from 370 feet through to 1745 feet. Additionally, one sample of well water and one surface water sample were collected and delivered to ALS Labs on August 31st for ICP analysis and physical properties. Assay results from these drill core and water samples are expected by later this month.
Final compilation, upon receipt of further assays, and scheduling for the second 2018 drill hole (KB-4) at Kibby are being prepared. Drills will be mobilized to the second site as soon as possible.
The Kibby Basin shares many characteristics with Clayton Valley, where lithium brines are being exploited, including: closed structural basin, large conductor at depth, lithium anomalies at surface and depth, evidence of a geothermal system, and potential aquifers in porous ash and gravel zones.
About the Kibby Basin Lithium Brine Partnership
MGX is partnered with Belmont Resources (TSX-V: BEA) on the Property and currently earning a 50% interest with the goal of forming a 50/50 Joint Venture (the “Joint Venture”) to utilize MGX’s rapid lithium extraction technology. Kibby Basin is located in the western portion of the Great Basin in Nevada. The property covers 2,560 acres located in Esmeralda County, Nevada. Geologic research of the Kibby Basin has indicated that proximal rhyolitic flows and tuffs surrounding the basin could be a potential source of Li brine in the Kibby Basis Playa. In addition, the Kibby Basin is located within a geothermal cluster at a basin low setting. Regional geophysical signatures in the area reflect similar anomalies comparative to that of Clayton Valley, approximately 50km to the South, location of Abermarle’s Silver Peak Mine, the only North American lithium producer.
Rapid Lithium Brine Extraction Technology
MGX has developed a rapid lithium extraction technology eliminating or greatly reducing the physical footprint and investment in large, multi-phase, lake sized, lined evaporation ponds, as well as enhancing the quality of extraction and recovery across a complex range of brines as compared with traditional solar evaporation. This technology is applicable to petrolithium (oil and gas wastewater), natural brine, and other brine sources such as lithium-rich mine and industrial plant wastewater. The technology was recently chosen as winner of the Base and Specialty Metals Industry Leadership Award at the 2018 S&P Global Platts Global Metals Awards, held in London in May (see press release dated May 18, 2018).
Qualified Person
Andris Kikauka (P. Geo.), Vice President of Exploration for MGX Minerals, has prepared, reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release. Mr. Kikauka is a non-independent Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards.
About MGX Minerals
MGX Minerals is a diversified Canadian resource company with interests in advanced material and energy assets throughout North America. Learn more at www.mgxminerals.com.
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "potentially" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking information as a result of various factors. The reader is referred to the Company's public filings for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects which may be accessed through the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.