A long time ago, in a Galaxy far far away... ...Lithium One prepared an NI43-101 March7, 2012 and still available on SEDAR for those inclined to look. Is there a more recent one?
"The principal sources of water entering the Hombre Muerto basin are the surfacewater inflows, and groundwater inflow from natural recharge along the mountain fronts viaalluvial fans. Drill results, indications from vertical electrical soundings, and densityrelations suggest that vertical circulation of low density water entering the basin is restricted."
"The total water catchment area for Salar del Hombre Muerto is approximately3,929 km2 (Houston and Jaacks, 2010). The principal perennial streams entering the HombreMuerto basin are the Rio Trapiche and the Rio de los Patos, both of which enter from thesouth. Estimated total surface water flow to the Salar is 147 x 106 m3/year "
Brine requirement for a 25ktpa Lithium Carbonate plant... "Total brine required m3/yr 10,865,102"
The water issue in the Atacama is due to the shallow nature of the operations there. The brine is hosted in halite evaporites - permeability drops off greatly with depth and so the extraction is shallow - top 30m or so. There, brine extraction does have effect at the surface. Hence the sensitivity about lagoons drying up, desperate shots of unhappy flamingos, etc. By way of contrast, the Olaroz and Cauchari deposits are hosted in silts/clastics at depth - moderately permeable and therefore exploitable, even at 300 or 400m below surface, with no apparent impact on surface water features.
So what sort of deposit is it at Sal da Vida? Back to the Sal da Vida NI 43-101, there are hydrogeologic sections starting at p230. Interestingly, the north western area is halite dominated evaporites - the bit that was sold to POSCO. The Galaxy bit is the silts and alluvium - drilled to at least 100m and up to 150m. I'm thinking there could be little science based objection to the brine extraction based on impacts at surface.
As for impacts at depth and potential to upset ground water resources (minimal in reality, but an emotional topic), you need to have some nearby people to get upset. "The closest population group is the Tincalayu Mining Project, of 40 people. It islocated about 10 km to the west of the salt pan; and it can be reached by a road. Thecommunity of Cienaga Redonda is located 20 km from the project. The village has57 inhabitants who live there permanently. The nearest town is Antofagasta de la Sierra; population 1,200 inhabitants. It has afirst aid station, lodgings, a police station (provincial police) and a school. Located about100 km from the salt pan, it is accessible via unpaved provincial route N°43. Santa Rosa de los Pastos Grandes is located 130 km north of the project. San Antoniode Los Cobres is located 90 km further to the north and is the main town in the AndesDepartment (Salta). The town has a hospital, a police station, gendarmerie, a telephoneoffice, convenience stores, gas station, inns, schools, workshops, etc. Salar de Pocitos Station is about 110 km northwest of the project. It has a policestation, first aid station, public telephone, restaurant and lodging."
I would guess that everyone of working age from Cienaga Redonda will be given a new employment opportunity that helps them to forget about any (unfounded) concerns for grazing etc.
Disclaimer - not a hydrogeologist...
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