Neometals Ltd (ASX:NMT) has received test results validating the high-purity lithium hydroxide process.
Vendor testing by Veolia Water Technologies produced a 99.99% pure lithium hydroxide monohydrate.
Significantly, this product is suitable for use in the lithium-ion battery sector.
The test work was conducted on run‐of‐mine 6% lithium oxide spodumene concentrates from the Mt Marion mine, which Neometals has a 13.8% interest in.
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Neometal’s chief executive Chris Reed said: "We are extremely pleased with the outstanding test work conducted by Veolia Water Technologies.
“The results we have received from the sample concentrate sent from Mt Marion validates the production process, material calculations and design criteria.
“We have a sound basis to now advance the front-end engineering design and feasibility studies which are scheduled for completion in 2019.”
Plans to build and operate a lithium hydroxide plant
Neometals aims to produce battery quality lithium hydroxide from Mt Marion spodumene in a bid to become an integrated lithium producer.
Although it is a minority equity holder in the Mt Marion mine it is able to be supplied under its off-take option agreement.
Neometals aims to build and operate a processing plant to produce 10,000 tonnes per annum of lithium hydroxide.
This would provide a secure, reliable supply to the electric vehicle and storage battery sector from 2021.