Latin Resources Ltd (ASX:LRS)'s preliminary “sighter” metallurgical test work, conducted on drill core from the company’s 100% owned high-grade Salinas Lithium Project continues to deliver impressive results.
The first-pass sighter metallurgical test work on a 44-kilogram lithium pegmatite drill core sample from the Colina prospect has yielded a high recovery of 78.72% of lithium dioxide (Li2O) and production of an extremely high-grade Li2O concentrate (up to 6.57%) from simple heavy liquid separation (HLS).
Reduced project capital and operational costs
These very high Li2O recovery rates from simple HLS may have a significant positive impact on both the initial project capital requirements and ongoing operational processing costs.
Indeed, the company is now confident that the uncomplicated liberation and high recovery rate of the Colina spodumene, at a relatively coarse crush, will drive “tremendous” positive outcomes for project economics.
The process potentially eliminates the need for complex and costly floatation processing to achieve a very high-quality concentrate.
Results have been independently reviewed and interpreted by Australian BHM Process Consultants, whose key personnel have significant experience in spodumene processing, metallurgy, and process plant design.
Study to continue
Next up, the company will select and collect a larger sample of more than 500 kilograms and will conduct further test work at SGS GEOSOL laboratories (SGS) Lakefield Canada as part of the PEA study.
Latin Resources executive director Chris Gale said: “These are extremely promising first pass results from our sighter metallurgical test work program. We are seeing lithium recovery rates and concentrate grades from simple HLS processing that are well above industry standards.
“This points to strong potential for production of a premium lithium product and therefore premium pricing for our product.
“While it is still early days, and more test work needs to be completed, the apparent ease of liberation of our spodumene producing such a high lithium concentrate may have significant positive implications for our Salinas Project.
“This may well mean we will not require the more complex and costly floatation processing to achieve a very high-quality concentrate.
“We will be undertaking additional sighter test work in the coming weeks to further explore the optimal crush size, and additional HLS cut points in order to optimise the larger test work flowsheet for the planned detailed PEA program that is planned to be completed by SGS in the first quarter next year.”