First test results for Brazilian lithium has delivered excellent recovery rates

First-pass metallurgical test work on spodumene-bearing pegmatite samples from Latin Resources’ Colina lithium prospect in Brazil has delivered excellent recovery rates of more than 78% lithium oxide.

The program also returned a robust concentrate grade of up to 6.57% lithium oxide using rudimentary heavy liquid separation processes.

Perth-based Latin says the bumper grade, straightforward beneficiation, and elevated recovery rates could turbocharge the project’s economics, eliminate the need for exorbitant floatation processing and drive its feasibility well into the green zone.

The battery metals explorer has enlisted leading mining consultancy group SGS to head the program. Its results will be independently reviewed and assessed by Australian-based BHM Process Consultants.

SGS has just wrapped up a program of “sighter” bench-scale metallurgical test work on drill core pulled from Colina. The prospect forms an integral part of Latin’s larger Salinas lithium project.

The company is now looking to get its hands on a larger, 500kg-plus sample that will be tested at SGS’s Lakefield operation in Canada as part of its Preliminary Economic Assessment, or “PEA” of the Colina lithium prospect.

A PEA is an early-stage scoping study that outlines the project’s preproduction expenses, operational costs, projected cash flows, and details around processing and production.

Latin is closing in on delivering a maiden resource estimate at Colina and is in the process of a resource definition program at the site. The diamond-focused campaign will run analogous to the PEA and look to chase up on earlier hits at the prospect where it scored grades as high as 4.22% lithium oxide.

The company hopes to submit a resource estimate at Colina by the end of the year and says SGS could have the PEA completed by March. According to the company, results from the PEA will flow into a DFS that could be wrapped up by December next year.

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. It points to strong potential for production of a premium Li product and, therefore, premium pricing for our product.

The company is edging closer to delivering its first lithium resource estimate in Brazil, and with initial metallurgical test work pointing towards a potentially lucrative operation, the early signs look good.

With information from The West Australian