Arcadia Minerals (ASX:AM7, FRA:8OH) reports ‘compelling’ lithium leach results from Bitterwasser Clay Project

Highlights

BITTERWASSER LITHIUM CLAYS

• 170mg/L high-grade lithium leachate has been produced (acid free and with water leaching after roasting).
• Roasting and water leaching expected to boost the economic viability of the lithium project, with further optimisation studies necessary to realise full potential.
• Initial findings show low impurity levels in the leachate, suggesting its potential as an alternative method for lithium extraction.

BITTERWASSER LITHIUM BRINES

• The analytical and sampling processes need refinement to ensure that the assay methodology is suitable for the Bitterwasser Brines project.

Arcadia Minerals Limited (ASX:AM7, FRA: 8OH) has reported promising leach results from its Bitterwasser Lithium Clay Project. Leaching tests conducted on clay samples from a recent infill drilling campaign yielded a high-grade lithium leachate of 170 mg/L.

This was achieved through sulphate roasting at 850°C for 1.5 hours followed by water leaching at 80°C, notable for its acid-free process.

Initial results indicate that the leachate has low impurity levels, indicating a potential alternative method for lithium extraction.

Additionally, the company updated on the sampling program at the Bitterwasser Lithium Brines Project, where assay results from two laboratories using ICP-OES and ICP-MS methods showed significant variance.

 

Details of Leaching Test Work

The leaching test work was conducted under the auspices of the University of Stellenbosch's Chemical Engineering Department. Previously, a baseline leaching performance was established by performing sulfuric acid leaching at 60°C using an acid concentration of 1.5 moles per litre and 12% solids. This process resulted in a lithium concentration of 98 mg/L after one hour.

To improve lithium recovery, an alternative method involving sulphate roasting of clay samples was undertaken. The results were promising, with the roasted clays yielding a lithium concentration of 170 mg/L after leaching with water.

Comparing the two methods, the roasting method is expected to boost the economic viability of the lithium extraction project. However, to realise its full potential, further optimisation studies are necessary.

Sampling Program at Bitterwasser Lithium Brine Project

Recently, the company conducted a comprehensive sampling program at the project by employing hydra-sleeves at intervals of 10 metres to ascertain the mineralisation in each hole down to basin depth. The samples were analysed by two laboratories, each using different technologies. When the outcomes of the two laboratories were compared, a significant variance was observed.

Due to the variance of over 200%, the company plans to review the sampling and analysis methods used for the program. After verifying the sampling methodology, re-sampling and re-analysis will be conducted on the existing boreholes.

AM7 shares traded at AU$0.038 apiece on 17 July 2024.

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