European Lithium Ltd (ASX:EUR) has commissioned tests of lithium-bearing raw material from its Wolfsberg project in Austria for processed into a lithium carbonate or hydroxide product.
A total of 300 tonnes of raw material has been delivered to Dorfner Anzaplan in Bavaria, Germany, for processing refinement tests.
READ: European Lithium makes steady progress in advancing Wolfsberg Lithium Project
The lithium-bearing raw material originated from historical test mining carried out in the existing exploration mine.
It will be used by Dorfner Anzaplan to fine-tune its refinement process, which has already successfully been used to process lithium by Nemaska Lithium Inc (TSX:NMX) in Canada.
A mineralised sample from Wolfsberg.
READ: European Lithium secures up to $10 million to fast-track Wolfsberg
European Lithium’s CEO Dietrich Wanke said: “Once again, we greatly benefit from having an already existing exploration mine and test mining completed.
“We have more than 1,500 tonnes of raw material available to carry out the optimisation process with our partner Dorfner Anzaplan now, a step that can usually only be taken at the start of mining operations.”
Results expected by mid-2019
Results from the processing refinement tests are expected by the middle of 2019.
European Lithium said the tests would be important for improving production once the Wolfsberg mine was fully operational.
The German company was engaged in the preparation of the pre-feasibility study (PFS) for the project and is now involved in the definitive feasibility study (DFS).
“European Lithium can be confident it will be able to produce lithium products of the highest quality and according quantity from the planned start of production, anticipated by end of 2021,” Wanke said.
“Flexible refinement process”
“In the future, mainly lithium solid state batteries will be used, especially in the automotive industry. “Against this backdrop, together with Dorfner Anzaplan, we will design a flexible refinement process for the end product, enabling us to meet the changing requirements of our future customers without delay.”
READ: European Lithium debuts on NEX Exchange Growth Market in London today
Earlier this week, the company began trading on the London-based NEX Exchange Growth Market.
European Lithium expects this listing will increase its exposure and access to Europe-based investment markets.