Galan Lithium says the fourth long-pumping test at the Hombre Muerto West project in Argentina has resulted in an outstanding lithium mean grade of 981 millilitres per litre (mg/L).

Now that the company has received all the permits required by the Catamarca provincial government, Galan says its team members have been focused on multiple workstreams.

This has resulted in “encouraging” progress on project construction, the Phase 2 definitive feasibility study and exploration.

‘Stunning’ lithium grades

As planned, the construction campaign for the initial six production wells considered for Phase I has been completed, the company reports.

Final hydraulic tests for the operational phase are now being run.

The last tested well, PBRS- 03-23, is located on the Rana de Sal I tenement approximately 550 metres upgradient from existing pumping well PBRS-01-21.

A 15-day pumping test on PBRS-03-23 resulted in 61 brine samples collected and sent for chemical analysis in Jujuy.

Galan says these returned “stunning” lithium grades ranging from 907 mg/L to 1,008 mg/L, and averaging 981 mg/L.

During this period a constant flow rate of 15 litres per second was maintained, the company said.

Sound ground for ponds

All six initial Phase 1 brine production wells have been completed, the company adds.

The existing pilot plant continues to deliver lithium chloride at 6% lithium, which grade is in line with the standard specified in off-take negotiations.

Meanwhile, test pit work has confirmed that the ground for construction Phase 1 ponds is sound.

Hombre Muerto West is the company’s flagship project, located in the prolific “lithium triangle” spanning areas of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile.

Galan describes Hombre Muerto West as the highest-grade lithium project in Argentina, the resource now standing at 6.6 million tonnes at 880 millilitres lithium per litre.

First production by 2025

Galan is aiming to be a lithium producer in the first half of 2025.

At the completion of Phase 1 development, the company is targeting a premium concentrate of six per cent lithium with annual output of 5,400 tonnes of lithium carbonate.

Meanwhile, third-party offtake and “other strategic discussions” are ongoing, the company has previously noted.