Jindalee Resources Ltd (ASX:JRL) has completed an initial round of metallurgical test-work on lithium feedstock from its McDermitt Lithium Project in the US, successfully producing lithium phosphate containing 5.89% lithium.
The company used alkali salt roasting and sequential leaching to convert a composite sample of McDermitt ore, grading at 1,460 parts per million (ppm) lithium, into lithium phosphate, a precursor material for lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries.
LFP batteries are becoming increasingly popular among electric vehicle manufacturers, with both Tesla and Ford announcing they will make up a large portion of batteries in their vehicles going forward.
This particular type of lithium-ion chemistry currently holds a 25% market share but is expected to grow to 40% by 2030 due to the technological and cost advantages over traditional chemistries.
Lithium extraction options
With this recent round of metallurgical test-work, Jindalee has confirmed that alkali salt roasting of McDermitt ore can produce lithium phosphate at a conversation rate of 89.5%, offering two potential extraction methods.
Jindalee now has the choice between sulphuric acid leaching of either whole or beneficiated ore and alkali salt roasting.
Modelling completed as part of a scoping study for the McDermitt project revealed that more optimal lithium recoveries may be achieved using whole-of-ore alkali salt roasting — the same method proposed for the Sonora Lithium Project, acquired by Ganfeng Lithium in January 2022.
The company engaged Lithium Consultants Australasia to produce a roasting flowsheet and determined that recycling the salt residue used in extraction as a roast reagent improves lithium recoveries and reduces reagent usage.
Jindalee has not yet committed to a processing route, but is nonetheless ‘delighted’ with these results, which suggest a viable alternative processing route to sulphuric acid leaching.