LiCo Energy Metals abre oficina corporativa en Santiago

LiCo Energy Metals Inc. (“La compañía “o” LiCo”) TSX-V: LIC; OTCQB: WCTXF se complace en anunciar que ha abierto oficialmente una oficina de exploración y desarrollo en Santiago de Chile, junto con su actual exploración de salmuera de litio, fase uno del programa para el proyecto Purickuta localizado dentro del Salar de Atacama, Chile.

El equipo de la compañía esta actualmente en Santiago para avanzar la primera fase del programa de exploración y para revisar otras propiedades de litio y cobalto para una potencial adquisición.

“Estamos muy entusiasmados acerca de este movimiento corporativo para abrir una oficina de exploración en Santiago. Reafirma el compromiso de LiCo tanto en nuestra exploración de Purickuta como en las futuras exploraciones y desarrollo dentro de Chile, uno de los territorios mineros más prolíficos del mundo”, comentó el señor Tim Fernback, Presidente y CEO de LiCo.  

La compañía mantiene una opción para adquirir hasta un 60% en la concesión de exploración de Purickuta (“La propiedad”)

Acerca de LiCo Energy Metals : https://licoenergymetals.com/

LiCo Energy Metals Inc. es una compañía de exploración canadiense listada en el TSX Venture Exchange. El enfoque de la compañía se dirige hacia la exploración de metales de alto valor para la producción de baterías de ion litio.

El Proyecto Purickuta se encuentra dentro de Salar de Atacama, un salar que abarca 3.000 km2, con aproximadamente 100 km de largo, 80 km de ancho y alberga aproximadamente el 37% de la producción mundial de Litio. El salar posee un grado muy alto de litio (1.840 mg / l) y potasio (22.630 mg / l) y está cerca de la energía, mano de obra, comunicaciones, transporte y otras infraestructuras. 
La propiedad de 160 hectáreas está rodeada por una concesión propiedad de Sociedad Quimica y Minera ("SQM") y se encuentra, significativamente, a pocos kilómetros de la propiedad de CORFO (la Agencia de Desarrollo Económico de Chile) quien arrienda tanto a SQM como a Albermarle Corp (Rockwood Lithium). Estas dos compañías combinadas producen más de 62,000 toneladas de LCE (Equivalente de Carbonato de Litio) anualmente y conforman el 100% de la producción actual de litio de Chile. Las características únicas de Salar de Atacama hacen que el carbonato de litio terminado sea más fácil y más barato de producir que en cualquier otro grupo mundial.

Purickuta es una pequeña concesión de explotación en lugar de una gran concesión de exploración, lo que acelera la tarea de llevar el proyecto a producción, una vez que se puede establecer una reserva medida. En la actualidad, el gobierno chileno conserva la propiedad del litio, separado de otros minerales y, por lo tanto, la producción solo puede continuar al recibir un contrato especial de operación de litio conocido como "CEOL". En el futuro, será necesario que LiCo y su socio negocien un contrato de producción con CORFO al mismo tiempo que completan cualquier estudio de factibilidad. “Chile, que tiene uno de los suministros de litio más abundantes del mundo, está impulsando nuevas políticas para desarrollar esas reservas (Reuters 2 de enero, 2017).”.

Extractado del ariculo en inglés (A continuación):

LiCo Energy Metals to Open a Corporate Office in Santiago Chile
 (TheNewswire)

June 28, 2017 / TheNewswire / Vancouver, British Columbia - LiCo Energy Metals Inc. (“the Company” or “LiCo”) TSX-V: LIC; OTCQB: WCTXF is pleased to announce that it has officially opened an exploration & development office in Santiago, Chile in conjunction with its ongoing Phase One lithium brine exploration program for the Purickuta Project located within the Salar de Atacama, Chile.

The Company’s management team is currently in Chile in order to advance the first phase of the Purickuta exploration program and to review additional lithium and cobalt mineral properties for potential acquisition.

 “We are very excited about this corporate move to open up an exploration office in Santiago.  It reaffirms LiCo’s commitment to both our Purickuta Property exploration program and to fu ture exploration and development work within Chile, one of the world’s most prolific mining jurisdictions.” commented Mr. Tim Fernback, President & CEO of LiCo.  

The Company holds an option to acquire up to a 60% interest in the Purickuta Exploitation concession (the “Property”).  

About LiCo Energy Metals : https://licoenergymetals.com/

LiCo Energy Metals Inc. is a well funded Canadian based exploration company who's primary listing is on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company's focus is directed towards exploration for high value metals integral to the manufacture of lithium ion batteries.

Chile Purickuta Lithium Project:

The Purickuta Project is located within Salar de Atacama, a salt flat encompassing 3,000 km2, being about 100 km long, 80 km wide and home to approximately 37% of the worlds Lithium production.   The salar possesses a very high grade of both Lithium (1,840mg/l) and Potassium (22,630mg/l and is close to power, labour, communications, transportation and other infrastructure.  The property of 160 hectares is enveloped by a concession owned by Sociedad Quimica y Minera (“SQM”) and lies, significantly, within a few kilometers of the property of CORFO (the Chilean Economic Development Agency) where its leases to both SQM and Albermarle’s Rockwood Lithium Corp Together these two companies have combined production of over 62,000 tonnes of LCE (Lithium Carbonate Equivalent) annually making up 100% of Chile’s current lithium output.  The unique characteristics of Salar de Atacama make finished lithium carbonate easier and cheaper to produce than any of its peer group globally.

Purickuta is a smaller exploitation concession rather than a large exploration concession thereby accelerating the task of taking the project to production once a measured reserve can be established.  Currently, the Chilean government retains ownership of lithium separate from other minerals and thus production can only proceed upon receipt of a special lithium operation contract know as a “CEOL”.   In the future, it will be necessary for LiCo and partner to negotiate a production contract with CORFO concurrently with completing any positive feasibility study.  “Chile, which has one of the world's most plentiful supplies of lithium, is pushing ahead with new policies to develop those reserves”. (Reuters Jan2, 2017).

Ontario Teledyne Cobalt Project:

The Company has an option to earn 100% ownership, subject to a royalty, in the Teledyne Project located near Cobalt. Ontario.  The Property adjoins the south and west boundaries of claims that hosted the Agaunico Mine.  From 1905 through to 1961, the Agaunico Mine produced a total of 4,350,000 lbs. of cobalt and 980,000 oz. of silver. A significant portion of the cobalt that was produced at the Agaunico Mine located along structures that extended southward onto property currently under option to LiCo Energy Metals.  

Nevada Dixie Valley Lithium Project:

The Company has an option to acquire a 100% interest, subject to a 3% NSR, on a large lithium exploration project at the Humboldt Salt Marsh in Dixie Valley, Nevada. The geologic setting and presence of lithium in active geothermal fluids and surface salts in Dixie Valley match characteristics of producing lithium brine deposits at Clayton Valley, Nevada and in South America.

Nevada Black Rock Desert Lithium Project:

The Company has entered into an option agreement whereby the Company may earn an undivided 70% interest, subject to a 3% Net Smelter Return Royalty, in the Black Rock Desert Lithium Project that consists of 128 placer claims (2,560 acres/ 1,036 hectares) in southwest Black Rock Desert, Washoe County, Nevada.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Tim Fernback, President & CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information:

This news release may contain forward-looking statements which include, but are not limited to, comments that involve future events and conditions such as the Company’s ability to exercise the Option, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Except for statements of historical facts, comments that address resource potential, upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt and security of mineral property titles, availability of funds, and others are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may vary materially from those statements. General business conditions are factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from forward-looking statements.