VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - July 13, 2016) - Mesa Exploration Corp. (TSX VENTURE:MSA)(OTC PINK:MSAJF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed the first phase shallow auger brine sampling program on its 100% owned Sal Rica lithium project in Utah.
A geological crew from McKay Mineral Exploration conducted a brine sampling program, which was completed by hand tools to collect brine samples in the shallow aquifer at depths of 3 to 4 feet below surface. The 11 brine samples yielded lithium concentrations as high as 80 ppm lithium, averaging 66.4 ppm lithium. For context the Silver Peak lithium brine mine in Nevada grades 100 ppm lithium brine pumped from wells as deep as 1,000 feet.
Sampling sites twinned 11 holes previously auger drilled by Quintana Petroleum in 1966 on a 2 mile grid. More detailed sampling this summer is warranted and planning is underway for an expanded second phase exploration program.
"This confirmation sampling program provided better than expected results, a very good start as we explore the 100% owned project. The fact that the brine is so shallow removes some of the time, expense and uncertainty usually associated with deep hard rock mineral exploration," commented Foster Wilson, President and CEO.
The technical data in this news release have been reviewed by Thom Clark, PGeo., a qualified person under the terms of NI 43-101; samples were analyzed at ALS Minerals Testing Laboratory in Reno, Nevada.
About the Sal Rica Project:
The 100% owned project comprises 9,844 acres in Box Elder County, Utah. The target is a shallow aquifer beginning at 1 to 3 feet deep and from historic analytical work, contains brine grading from 22.0 to 81.2 ppm lithium, averaging 57.6 ppm lithium from 10 wells drilled on two mile spacing. Brine was encountered in several shallow (18 feet) auger holes drilled by Quintana Petroleum in 1966. The area was originally explored for potash however recent robust prices for lithium renders the project suitable for further evaluation.
About Mesa Exploration:
Mesa is exploring a portfolio of lithium, potash, gold and silver mineral properties in the United States where it controls significant land holdings in proven mining districts with excellent access and infrastructure. Mesa currently has 16.7 million shares issued and outstanding, 50% of the shares are controlled by insiders and institutions. For further information please visit our website at www.MesaExploration.com.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
MESA EXPLORATION CORP.
Foster Wilson, President and CEO
This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include unsuccessful exploration results, changes in metals prices, changes in the availability of funding for mineral exploration, unanticipated changes in key management personnel and general economic conditions. Mining is an inherently risky business. Accordingly the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company and the risks and challenges of its business, investors should review the Company's annual filings that are available at www.sedar.com.
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 of accuracy of this release.
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