The Hy claims cover approximately 740 acres (300 hectares) and were the subject of reconnaissance surveys in the late 1970's and a preliminary work project in the 1980’s. The original reconnaissance and follow up program was directed by geologist Jay W. Santos. This work included 242 shallow auger holes to test the lithium dispersion below the feed source. Commercial analytical laboratories showed total lithium contents ranging from 86 to 1480 ppm from rock and soil samples in the auger holes. The higher grade zones appeared to be related to the clay content of the holes. A resistivity survey of a small portion of the property was contracted out, results of which showed two well defined zones of lower resistivity at depth, possibly indicating a brine or clay-rich zones.

Upon completing its due diligence on the property, an initial ground program was completed October 29th, 2009. Sampling by Ashburton on the claim block confirmed the lithium anomalies initially detected in the reconnaissance surveys. Four soil auger samples were from areas where anomalous Li was reported from the 1970s sampling program. The four samples were collected using a 1.2-meter soil auger and ranged in depth from 0.50 to 1.15 meters. Lithium contents of these samples range from 320 to 590 ppm Li. Three water samples were also collected from nearby springs on the property contained 1580 to 1720 ug/L Li. Geochemical analyses were performed by ALS-Chemex Laboratories of Reno, Nevada, and North Vancouver, BC.