Anson Resources (ASX: ASN) has significantly expanded its Green River lithium play in Utah in the USA with the pegging of an additional 100 strategic claims that will increase the project footprint by nearly 10% to 88.61 square kilometres.

One of Anson’s strategies in acquiring its lithium exploration claims in the past has been the examination of historical oil and gas wells in the area, and the new claims contain two oil wells that recorded brine flowing near surface and are considered re-entry targets to increase the resource estimate.

Notably, the Grand Fault Unit 14-24 well extends deep into the Mississippian Unit and is located next to a continuously flowing geyser, demonstrating high porosity.

High Permeability

According to Anson, oil flow drill stem tests conducted at the Grand Fault well and the Green River Unit 1 well, as well as other historical oil and gas wells within the project region, indicate that the Mississippian strata have high permeability across a large area.

Anson believes this permeability indicates the possibility of achieving the flow rates required to support a planned lithium plant, and that the pressure may remain constant over the life of the lithium project.

The Green River area had no recorded historical lithium assays until Anson’s recent drilling program, but supersaturated brine had been intercepted during oil and gas drilling.

Lithium-Rich Brines

The results from the Bosydaba #1 well also confirmed there was lithium-rich brines at the north end of the Paradox Basin located within the Green River project.

Filed by fully owned subsidiary Blackstone Minerals, the newly added claims form one contiguous block with the Area of Influence recently approved by the Utah state government.

Anson chief executive officer Bruce Richardson said that Anson would be able to include approximately 28% of the new claims in the next JORC mineral resource upgrade.