Discovery Model Highlights:
MAX Power is targeting both a property-wide claystone sequence below the Willcox Playa, which has a thickness of up to 1,600 metres, and trapped non potable fluids with the potential to host lithium brines;MAX Power has defined pervasive and significant resistivity low anomalies across most of its 3,754-acre property. Extreme resistivity lows, detected through a recentHSAMT Survey , most probably represent clay-rich sediments, which could comprise lithium targets extending from near-surface to depth;The HSAMT Survey suggests these anomalies are persistent to depths of at least 600 metres below the surface with the thickness of the clay sequence estimated to be 1,200 to 1,600 metres;- In addition to the anomalies, the geophysical cross section highlights what appears to be a series of sub-vertical parallel structural controls, possibly faults, that are known in similar settings to concentrate lithium in desert playa environments;
- A comprehensive review of historical data suggests that illite and montmorillonite, associated with the weathering of silicic volcanic ash tuffs, are the most common clay minerals under the Willcox Playa. Illite at
Willcox is described as the “dominant” clay mineral in a PhD thesis. Its formation in a geothermally active, alkaline environment is often significant and can aid in the concentration of lithium. This clay mineral is known to contribute to high-grade lithium values in other claystone lithium deposits.
Lithium Concentration Model at the Willcox Playa
The current model for the deposition and concentration of lithium on and under the Playa involves four key steps:
1) The erosion of the Apache Leap Tuffs (~18.5 Ma), the proposed source rocks which surround much of the playa (
2) The material eroded from the source rocks was then transported to the centre of the valley into a very large brackish lake named
3) The basin is hydrologically closed, and the fluids for the most part do not exit, other than by evaporation. This created a concentration and compaction of the deposited materials over time. The result was a dry lake with a clay package up to one mile (1,600 metres) thick beneath the current land surface. Refer to Figure 1, a general outline of the source rocks, deposition and concentration;
4) The nearby Turkey Creek Caldera is proposed as an important heat source to drive geothermal springs in the area and add to the concentration of lithium within the Playa basin.
Figure 1: Lithium Sources at Willcox Playa,
Geophysical Anomalies
When looking at Figure 2, large anomalies are noted as seen by the colours blue and yellow. Values for the anomalies can be less than 1.0 Ω m (Ohm metre). Figure 2 is a plan view slice of the anomalies 100 metres below the surface. The Company has drill targets ranging over 10 km from the far north to the far south of the property to target these anomalies. The gravity low identified by the survey near the centre of the Playa often overlays the anomalies. The HSAMT and gravity surveys strengthen the possibility of lithium accumulation and concentration under the property.
Figure 2: Resistivity Low Anomalies and drill targets at Willcox Playa,
Figure 3: A cross section of the resistivity looking to the northwest with notable interpreted structures
Interpreted Structures (Resistivity)
Figure 3 is a cross section looking to the northwest. The section shows the resistivity values along the entire length of the Willcox Property. The cross section shows four sub-vertical interpreted structures spaced approximately 3,000 metres apart along the cross section. The geophysical interpretation suggests these apparent structures have some degree of influence on the distribution of anomalously low resistivity anomalies. At
Historical Context
The Willcox Playa, situated approximately 200 miles southeast of
References
Davis, J.R., Friedman, I, & Gleason, J.D. (1986). Origin of the Lithium-
Pipkin, B.W. (1964). Clay Mineralogy of the Willcox Playa and its
Video Interview from Willcox Playa
To view a video interview with a geophysics specialist at the Willcox Playa, visit the following URL: https://vimeo.com/842888448?share=copy
Qualified Person
The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by
About
On behalf of the Board of Directors
“Rav Mlait”
CEO
Company Contact info@maxpowermining.com, 778-655-9266
Forward-Looking Statement Cautions
This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, relating to exploration, drilling, mineralization and historical results on the Property; the interpretation of drilling and assay results, the results of any future drilling program, mineralization and the discovery mineralization (if any); plans for future exploration and drilling and the timing of same; the merits of the Willcox Playa Property; the potential for lithium within the Willcox Playa region; ability to access Property; ability to extract resources from the Property, commentary as it related to the opportune timing to explore lithium exploration and any anticipated increasing demand for lithium; any results and updates thereto as it relates to the
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Figure 1: Lithium Sources at Willcox Playa, Arizona
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Figure 2: Resistivity Low Anomalies and drill targets at Willcox Playa, Arizona
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Resistivity cross section
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