Oz Lithium Crew on Site at Laguna Santa Maria Argentina

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Oz Lithium Corporation (CSE: OZLI) (OTC: GRXXF) (Frankfurt: G0A) is pleased to announce evaluation work has begun at the Laguna Santa Maria Project, located in the northwest territory of the Province of Salta, Argentina. 

The project is fully permitted and licensed for the production of sodium carbonate, commonly referred to as soda ash, and is comprised of 500 hectares.  The project has excellent road access being approximately 60 kilometers from the town of Tolar Grande. 

Geo Brand, a Salta Argentina based technical firm are now on site completing a Vertical Electrical Sounding survey over the project area.  A total of 8 transects are being completed and are comprised of 15 sounding points every 500 meters per transect.  The intent of the program is to confirm the depth potential of the soda ash deposit in relation to the visible surface expression.

Eleven liquid samples and fifteen solid samples have been collected at site by the Oz lithium exploration team.  The samples have been collected under the supervision of William Feyerabend, CPG, a Consulting Geologist and Qualified Person under NI 43-101.  All samples will be forwarded to Alex Stewart Laboratories (ISO Certified) of Mendoza, Argentina, for chemical analysis and quality evaluation.

Soda Ash Critical to Lithium Carbonate Production

Soda ash is the trade name for sodium carbonate, a chemical refined from the mineral trona or sodium carbonate bearing brines (both referred to as "natural soda ash") or manufactured from one of several chemical processes (referred to as "synthetic soda ash").  The US Geological Survey reports US exports of soda ash to Argentina for 2022 at 165,000 tonnes valued at US$48 million (source: US Mineral Industry Survey, December 2022).

Soda ash is a "critical reagent" in the production of lithium carbonate with the process requiring two tonnes of soda ash for every tonne of lithium carbonate produced.  As reported in La Nacion (an online Argentina News Paper) on January 30, 2023, there is an insufficient local supply of soda ash and importing it has various issues and challenges for present and future lithium carbonate producers in Argentina.  Management believes a first mover advance exists for the Company with the Laguna Santa Maria Project.  Much of the current Sodium carbonate production in Argentina is required by the glass industry.  Lithium carbonate producers must import their requirements of sodium carbonate from the world market.  The potential demand for soda ash is significant given the expanding lithium production in Argentina.

The Technical and scientific information contained in this news release was reviewed by Mr. William Feyerabend, a Consulting Geologist and Qualified Person under NI 43-101.  Mr. Feyerabend participated in the production of this news release. 

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Adrian F.C. Hobkirk President and CEO

T:  954-684-8040
E:  info@ozlithiumcorp.com  
W:   www.ozlithiumcorp.com

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This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements.   We seek safe harbor.