Piedmont Lithium Ltd (ASX:PLL) has commenced a by-product study at its Piedmont Lithium Project in North Carolina, US.
The study will see a resource estimate completed for potential quartz, feldspar and mica concentrates as a by-product of a potential lithium operation.
Businesses in the region have need for by-product minerals
Piedmont’s president and CEO Keith D. Phillips said: “While many spodumene pegmatites include quartz, feldspar and mica mineralisation, most are located too remotely to economically serve the important markets for these products.
“Given our location in the industrial heartland of the USA, there is potential to deliver into large, glass, ceramic, building products and technology businesses that are based in our region and have great need for these minerals.
“The historic Hallman-Beam mine derived substantial revenue from by-products, and if we are able to do the same it will have a positive impact on our production costs.”
READ: Piedmont Lithium price target increased on back of maiden US lithium resource
Flotation tests and iron removal tests for the by-products concentrates has been completed and assays are pending.
Data and samples from these tests will be provided to potential off-take partners to evaluate commercial potential.
Updated scoping study to reflect by-product revenue
Following the recently reported maiden resource at Piedmont, the scoping study is expected to be released later this month.
Piedmont also plans to include revenue potential from by-products in an update to this scoping study expected to be available in late 2018.
The update will follow the mineral resource estimate underway and reflect feedback from potential customers.