Bradda Head Lithium Ltd (AIM:BHL, OTC:BHLIF, TSX-V:BHLI) has reported positive results from a study at its San Domingo lithium project, in Arizona, which unlocks potential cost savings.
A mineral particle ore-sorting study – using 117 samples from the 2023 drilling programme – has confirmed that the project’s spodumene ore is suitable for ore sorting.
Executive chair Ian Stalker highlighted that the positive processing test confirms the opportunity of producing a saleable, intermediate concentrate product that can be directly shipped.
“It would also be expected to greatly reduce potential upfront capex costs and permitting demands,” Stalker said in a statement.
“Integrating mineral sorting early in the process can increase the grade, reduce the amount of mining equipment, infrastructure, and time to produce a saleable product.”
Lower grade intermediate product would, meanwhile, be stockpiled for future treatment. Also, the study noted that waste material contains almost no lithium and could be sold as aggregate.
Bradda Head intends to follow up with a second phase bulk sample test, comprising between 300kg and 500kg of sample material.
It comes amid heightened impetus to deliver new sources of strategic minerals, like lithium, in the United States under the Trump Administration.
"Bradda Head is keen to move as quickly as possible to operational mode on its San Domingo pegmatite project in Arizona, leveraging the determination of the US government to develop domestic production of strategic minerals including lithium,” Stalker added.
“This was most recently demonstrated with the Presidential Executive Order issued on the 20 March, that clearly denotes benefits for junior miners such as Bradda.”
He highlighted, meanwhile, that it is pushing ahead with San Domingo not only to benefit from the ongoing 'America first' approach to strategic minerals but also to be in a position to be operationally ready when an anticipated uptick comes in the lithium market.