Argosy Minerals Limited (ASX:AGY) has exceeded the standard battery-grade content value for high purity lithium hydroxide (LiOH) in processing tests at the pilot plant and in-house laboratory at Rincon Lithium Project in Argentina.
Laboratory analysis results have confirmed LiOH content value of 56.84% compared to the standard battery grade of 56.5%.
Potential for complementary production
This corresponds to a purity of 99.61% lithium hydroxide monohydrate and has the potential to represent a complementary commercial lithium hydroxide production strategy for Argosy.
The processing test work is in response to interest from a large Korean battery industry participant for high-purity lithium hydroxide samples.
“Pre-eminent chemical processing expertise”
Argosy managing director Jerko Zuvela said: “This initial lithium hydroxide result, together with the long-standing high-quality lithium carbonate processing results achieved highlights the pre-eminent chemical processing expertise within the company.
“We are in the chemicals business and we continue to validate our capacity and credentials to operate in this industry.”
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Ongoing chemical processing work at the stage I pilot plant has resulted in a build-up of lithium carbonate product.
With this product and utilising Argosy’s lithium processing expertise combined with the experience of its local partner, lithium hydroxide customer samples have been prepared from the in-house laboratory.
Using an industry standard indirect calculation method determined by ICP, gravimetric and titration analysis, this work resulted in a 56.84% LiOH content value.
Lithium hydroxide samples in the laboratory (left) and sample preparation.
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Argosy believes this work may result in a potential complementary lithium hydroxide production pathway, in addition to the lithium carbonate strategy and chemical process solution achieved to date.
The company will continue processing works to prepare the specified customised LiOH samples for delivery to the Korean battery group.
Fast-track development strategy
This milestone further establishes that Argosy is delivering on its fast-track lithium development strategy.
It provides additional options to consider accelerating the scale-up development timeframe of the project.
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Zuvela added: “With our recent sales agreement with Mitsubishi RtM and upcoming commencement of customer production operations, Argosy is in a strong position to secure a key strategic relationship and interest for the potential full commercial-scale development of the Rincon Lithium Project.”