Epstein Interview: Nevada Energy Metals’ Advisory Board Member Malcolm Bell, Charged-up on Lithium! ​

In a recent interview by Epstein Research spoke with Malcolm Bell, newly appointed Technical Advisor with Nevada Energy Metals (TSXV:BFF) (OTC Pink:SSLMF).
As quoted in the press release:

Your extensive experience in natural resources, including sourcing projects & capital, affords you opportunities to serve in advisory roles for many Nevada juniors. Why choose lithium, and why Nevada Energy Metals, Inc.? 

Nevada is an area of strong interest for me. At times it’s been for gold or copper, but now my focus is on lithium and its strategic importance. For months before joining the Technical Board, I was working closely with the Company on identifying and locking down lithium-bearing properties and staking ground. I helped them with the 100% acquisition of Teels Marsh West and with their option agreement on up to 60% of Alkali Lake. I’m very bullish on lithium demand and Nevada’s potential role in supplying it.

Regarding Nevada Energy Metals, I’m excited by the pace, the speed at which things are getting done. In addition to the two transactions mentioned, I helped successfully stake a very promising property in the San Emidio Desert basin. On top of that, the Company is already starting (next week) a phase 1 exploration program on Teels Marsh West.

So, this is a company that wants to advance properties, not just sit on them. Regarding other lithium juniors, I think that I can add the most value here, by spearheading an aggressive property acquisition mandate. The Nevada Energy Metals has a lot of irons in the fire, the next few months should be a very active time for both me and the Company!

You and Nevada Energy Metals are not alone in being bullish on lithium prospects in the State. What about the climate / geology of Nevada fostered the deposition of lithium in brines? 

That’s a great question. Dry desert-like climatic conditions and a favorable geological environment created conditions, over hundreds of thousands of years, that are today prospective for lithium in clays and lithium in brine deposits. There are four main reasons.

Firstly, it’s generally recognized that undrained, or closed desert playa basins are the most prospective locations. Secondly, there should be a history of large-scale volcanic eruptions, contributing large volumes of volcanic ash, containing trace amounts of lithium into the basin. Thirdly, the basin should sit atop, or be in very close proximity to, a geothermal heat source and hot springs.

Can you please explain the initial phase of exploration at Teels Marsh West, and what you hope to accomplish?
Yes, we’re excited to start a surface exploration program on Teels Marsh West next week. The marsh covers roughly 2,000 acres (~810 hectares) in Mineral County. Lithium concentrations at Teels Marsh of up to 850 ppm were reported in sampling programs conducted by the US Geological Survey (OFR: 76-567).
The initial exploration phase consists of 20 shallow holes designed to collect fluid and sediment samples situated nearby a previously discovered thermal area. The area is on, and adjacent to, a range front fault system along the west side of the marsh. Close proximity to a geothermal heat source is believed to be a principal requirement for concentrating lithium in the brines at Clayton Valley.
Finding lithium concentrations is all fine and good, but the parts per million (ppm) are lower than the brines found in Argentina & Chile, why should anyone care about Nevada? 
I’m no expert in lithium fundamentals or pricing, but the only North American producing mine, Silver Peak, is thought to be concentrating brines with initial lithium values of 150ppm to 250ppm. That’s using the decades old technology / process of solar evaporation. Most geologists believe that closed basins in places like Clayton Valley would be able to produce average concentrations of at least 200ppm.
Right, 200ppm is less than South American lithium values, but Nevada is ground zero of several new processing technologies that have potential to be superior to harvesting brines in giant evaporation ponds. To be clear, these technologies are mostly in scale-up phase. Still, most lithium juniors around the world are several years from commercial production, leaving plenty of time for new technologies to catch up.