Metallurgical Results from Mina do Barroso
NORTHLAND VIEW
- Savannah Resources’ reports the results of the Phase 2 metallurgical test work at the Mina do Barroso Lithium Project, located in Portugal. Results indicate a conventional process route combining gravity and flotation will result in a total recovery of at least 80% and produce a concentrate grade of over 6% Li2O.
- 40% of the contained lithium can be recovered via gravity processing and 70% of lithium not recovered by gravity can be recovered by flotation. Phase 3 of the test work programme currently underway.
- Noel O'Brien, a metallurgist and lithium processing expert with over 35 years' experience has been appointed as a technical consultant to direct Savannah's metallurgical test work programme.
- From Friday - Oman: Savannah has now received all eight required Government permitting approvals for the Maqail South Mining Licence application and seven for Mahab 4 and only the Ministry of Housing remaining. Positive discussions are continuing with the Ministry of Housing in respect of this.
Metallurgical results are an important part of any development programme with poor recoveries from conventional processing routes leading to other higher capex and opex processing routes. Importantly for Savannah, results from the test work completed to date indicates that the lithium mineralisation at Mina do Barroso is suitable to high recoveries from conventional methods and the resulting product is a conventional marketable product with low contaminants. Savannah has appointed a highly experienced lithium metallurgist to direct the Phase 3 metallurgical programme to ensure the test work is robust.
COMPANY DESCRIPTION
Savannah Resources is an energy metals group with copper-gold projects located in Oman, lithium projects in Portugal, and a operates a mineral sands project in Mozambique that is a JV with Rio Tinto
Update on novel sulforaphane analogues
NORTHLAND VIEW
- Evgen gives an update on the screening of 41 novel analogues of sulforaphane, a naturally-occurring compound (derived from Brassica vegetables) which has potential therapeutic properties in several diseases. Evgen received exclusive global rights to the analogues from the University of Seville in 2015.
- Researchers at the University of Liverpool evaluated the analogues for their toxicity against breast-cancer cells and their ability to activate Nrf2, a protein which may have a key role in sulforaphane's mechanism of action against neurological conditions. The analogues were compared with SFX-01, the Company's lead product (a synthetic, stabilised form of sulforaphane), which is in two Phase 2 clinical studies for breast cancer and subarachnoid haemorrhage.
- 21 of the analogues were shown to be twice as toxic against breast-cancer cells compared to SFX-01, with one analogue demonstrating eight-fold toxicity. No analogue was as potent as SFX-01 as an activator of Nrf2.
- The screening has identified candidates which merit further investigation as anti-cancer agents. It also provides reassurance that SFX-01 remains the optimal sulforaphane-based drug candidate for subarachnoid haemorrhage and potentially other neurological indications.
The screening highlights potential candidates for the Company pipeline and underlines the Company's strategy to secure a leading position in sulforaphane-based drugs. However, Evgen remains primarily focused on the clinical trials of SFX-01 and recognises that near-term progression of the analogues will likely be through collaborations that can lever non-dilutive grant funding. Both the ongoing Phase 2 trials are due topline readouts by the end of 2018.