Arcadia Minerals Ltd (ASX:AM7) has obtained positive mineralogical and processing results from Bitterwasser Lithium-in-Clay ores in Namibia.
“We are encouraged by these unprecedented particle size distribution results confirming that undemanding cyclones could offer a viable option to significantly increase Bitterwasser clay grades before leaching take place,” CEO, Philip le Roux, said.
“An additional boost to our confidence in the project’s potential economic possibilities comes from the University of Stellenbosch’s leach results, which confirmed that industry standard recoveries can be achieved by using potentially low-cost and environmentally friendly organic acids.
“This forecasts well for our ambitions to establish Bitterwasser as a potential environmentally friendly source of Lithium and the globe’s next economic Lithium-bearing mineral province.
“We are looking forward to improved results on leaching results with optimisation measures with the second phase of test work on post-cyclone feedstock.”
HIGHLIGHTS
Cyclone Test Work
- Process Engineering firm Multotec1 completed cyclone test work aimed at investigating the increase of lithium grade in leach feedstock from Bitterwasser clay ores, and reported that:
o +85 % of contained lithium reports to <10μ particle sizes
o 78% of Bitterwasser ore reports at particle sizes of <10μ
- Results indicate a grade increase of 28% in feedstock, and overall lithium recoveries of 89.6%
- Particle separation removes considerable amounts of adverse materials, such as calcite, dolomite and quartz from the leach feedstock
Leach Results
- Up to 82% of Lithium recovered after one hour resident time at a temperature of 60°C
- One organic acid outperforming sulphuric acid
- Test work conducted on unprocessed (pre-cyclone) Bitterwasser lithium clay ores
- University of Stellenbosch tested six organic acids compared to industry standard sulphuric acid and confirmed one organic acid outperforming sulphuric acid
For further information please visit: https://www.arcadiaminerals.global/
