Lithium Australia NL (ASX:LIT) has produced 6 kilograms of 99% lithium carbonate concentrate using its proprietary lithium extraction process, Sileach.
A second continuous pilot plant was operated from 10-13 October 2016 by ANSTO Minerals.
This follows the initial pilot plant operations from 12-17 September 2016 which successfully extracted lithium from lepidolite ore from its Lepidolite Hill project in Western Australia.
The second pilot plant campaign processed purified liquor generated in the first campaign and involved evaporation, recovery of lithium carbonate and recovery of potassium sulphate.
Lithium Australia aspires to create the union between resources and the best available technology and to establish a global lithium processing business.
Adrian Griffin, managing director, commented:
“Lithium Australia’s goal is to establish a low cost lithium production profile – similar to the brine producers.
“We are very pleased with the results as reported by ANSTO Minerals, Australia’s pre-eminent expert in lithium extraction technology.
“This is another step in de-risking the commercialization of the halogen based Sileach™ process.”
Lithium Australia portfolio
Lithium Australia has projects in the following jurisdictions:
- Western Australia: The Gascoyne; Pilgangoora; Ravensthorpe; Seabrook; Lepidolite Hill;
Greenbushes; Lake Johnston; and Widgiemooltha projects;
- Northern Territory: Bynoe;
- Queensland: Cape York; and
- Mexico: A 25% interest in the Electra lithium project.
Within these projects the company has various corporate alliances and joint ventures with Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX:PLS), Focus Minerals Ltd (ASX:FML), Alix Resources Corp (CVE:AIX), Cazaly Resources Ltd (ASX:CAZ), Tungsten Mining NL (ASX:TGN), Venus Metals Corporation Limited (ASX:VMC) and Lefroy Exploration Ltd (ASX:LEX).