Anson Resources: Utah green-lights water use for direct lithium...

Anson Resources: Utah green-lights water use for direct lithium extraction at Green River Lithium Project


Published: 11:04 13 Sep 2024 AEST


An application by Anson Resources Ltd (ASX:ASN, OTCQB:ANSNF) to appropriate water (brine) for the extraction of lithium at its Green River Lithium Project has reached final approval by the State of Utah, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water Rights.

The initial application was filed in July 2023 by Anson’s 100% owned subsidiary in the USA, Blackstone Minerals NV LLC, and the company received approval from the state engineer in May 2024. Anson was subsequently notified that the state engineer had granted an application to reconsider the extraction right.

Anson has now been advised that the reconsideration has been completed and the extraction of water (brine) right has been approved.

The approval allows for the company to use 19 cubic feet per second (0.54 cubic metres per second) of brine through a lithium extraction process.

The brine is then returned to the geological formation from which it was originally extracted.

As all the brine will be returned to its origin, the Division determined that its use is non-consumptive. The Division noted that the company had submitted an underground injection control (UIC) technical report for a “UIC Class 5 Spent Brine Return” Well to the Utah Division of Water Quality, which was approved last month.

The four planned extraction wells will be located on the private land that Anson purchased last year, with the water extraction to be within metres of the proposed lithium extraction plant.




Green River Lithium Project proposed extraction and disposal wells




Green River Lithium Project developing “at a rapid pace”

Anson executive chair and CEO Bruce Richardson said, “Through detailed community engagement and employment of local staff, our company has developed deep community ties and an understanding of local issues.

“The company always believed we were fully compliant with the requirements for this approval and will continue to work with all levels of government and the community to advance the project.

“This approval is significant as it is the first granted to the company by the State of Utah for the processing of brine for lithium extraction at Green River.

“The company is moving quickly through the government permitting application process which is aided by the acquisition of private land at Green River. The planned extraction wells are to be located on that land, a brownfields site where there has already been surface disturbance.

“Importantly, the Department of Natural Resources acknowledged there was no connection between the brine that Anson intends to extract and surface waters including rivers and groundwater systems and that the process the company has determined to use to extract lithium and return the waste brine to the same formation from which the brine was extracted is a non-consumptive process, unlike evaporation ponds.
“This direct lithium extraction (DLE) process has less impact upon the environment, which is one of the company’s key objectives.

“The Green River Lithium Project continues to develop at a rapid pace with the recent completion of the Bosydaba #1 well and the commissioning of the Sample Demonstration Plan. The company will continue to push forward with the development of the Green River Lithium Project to deliver increased shareholder value.”