Atlantic Lithium Limited (AIM:ALL) reported positive metallurgical test-work results ahead of a pre-feasibility study for the Ewoyaa lithium project in Ghana.
Metallurgical profiling using heavy liquid separation (HLS) at a 10mm crush size delivered primary lithium concentrate recoveries of up to 80% and dense medium separation (DMS) replicated the HLS results at pilot scale.
The metallurgical test results support a low capex gravity separation plant at the coarser 10mm primary crush size, larger than the finer 6.3mm crush size estimated in a scoping study.
"Results have successfully demonstrated that we are able to produce high-purity, low contaminants 6% Li2O SC6 spodumene concentrate at a coarse 10mm crush, which is much coarser than previously projected in the scoping study, providing potential for lower operating costs,” said interim chief executive Lennard Kolff.
"Results have consistently delivered lithium and feldspar concentrate quality that exceeds off-taker requirements and reaffirms the suitability of a simple dense medium gravity separation process route, boding well for low capital costs, operating costs and carbon intensities.
The pre-feasibility study currently underway is targeted for completion in the third quarter.
AIM-traded Atlantic Lithium is looking to develop Ewoyaa into West Africa's first lithium mine.