LiCo Energy Metals Inc. and Nevada Energy Metals Inc. added 71 new placer claims to the Black Rock Desert lithium project in Nevada following positive results from an expanded soil sampling program.

LiCo Energy secured an option in November to acquire an undivided 70% interest in the 1,036-hectare Black Rock Desert project.

From the 88 samples collected, 73 contained more than 100 parts per million of lithium, according to a Dec. 15 statement.