African-focused lithium explorer Atlantic Lithium (ASX:A11) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to undertake a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) at its Ewoyaa Lithium Project in Ghana.
The company, which has a $246.74 million market capitalisation, says the MoU has been signed with the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in Tarkwa to investigate the viability of producing feldspar feedstock as a by-product of spodumene concentrate production at Ewoyaa.
Atlantic reports this partnership will also assess the prospective market conditions and commercial, technical, and financial viability of the production of feldspar, quartz, and muscovite by-products of the proposed Ewoyaa Lithium Plant.
Atlantic believes feldspar represents a potential opportunity for the company to supply into the domestic market to support Ghana’s ceramics sector.
The company notes outcomes of the feldspar study are expected to form a recommendation on the viability of the production of feldspar from the plant, as well as a high-level implementation schedule for work.
As a result, Atlantic has begun sodium analysis of archive drilling sample pulps stored at the project site, which will complement the existing multi-element analyte suite, according to the company.
The company adds this analysis, in conjunction with X-ray diffraction analysis on a selection of whole rock pegmatite samples, is targeted to define a maiden feldspar Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE).
This resource is expected, in turn, to contribute to the financial model of the current DFS, potentially further reducing operating costs.
Addressing the DFS, Atlantic Lithium Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Keith Muller says: “We believe that the Ewoyaa Lithium Project represents a major potential source of feldspar, identified as a by-product of spodumene concentrate production at the proposed Dense Media Separation plant, which is widely used in ceramics and associated industries. The commercialisation of feldspar at Ewoyaa offers the potential to generate significant value to Ghana in addition to the project’s lithium production.
“The commercialisation of feldspar at Ewoyaa offers the potential to generate significant value to Ghana”
We hope to help invigorate Ghana’s ceramics market through the long-term supply of feldspar from Ewoyaa, stimulating the creation of new jobs and the development of associated businesses in the industry in the process. This way, Atlantic Lithium hopes to deliver further synergetic benefits to local stakeholders from the Ewoyaa Lithium Project.
We look forward to providing further updates in due course.”
Atlantic Lithium is an ASX-listed explorer and developer working to advance its portfolio of lithium projects in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire through to production.
The company’s flagship Ewoyaa project is located in Ghana and represents a ‘significant’ lithium spodumene pegmatite discovery on track to becoming Ghana’s first lithium-producing mine.
Write to Adam Drought at Mining.com.au
Images: Atlantic Lithium Ltd
