Lithium development company Critical Resources (ASX:CRR) reports ‘exceptional’ results of at least 87.3% lithium recovery from a metallurgical test work at its Mavis Lake Lithium Project in Ontario, Canada.
The objective of the test work program was to support a Scoping Study for the project and was conducted by SGS Canada at their Lakefield facility in Ontario.
Critical Resources reports 7 drillholes, with a total of 50 quarter-and-half core samples selected to provide a wide range of spatial locations, lithia grades, lithologies, and spodumene intersection depths, as well as accounting for typical mining dilution.
The samples delivered to SGS gathered to create 2 composites. These composites include a representative grade composite 1.2% lithium oxide (Li2O) and a ‘high-grade’ composite (1.6% Li2O).
Additionally, the representative grade composite produced a 6.02% Li2O concentrate with a total lithia recovery of 77.6% via heavy liquid separation (HLS) flotation. The ‘high-grade’ composite produced a 5.98% Li2O concentrate with a total lithia recovery of 87.3% via HLS and flotation.
An additional HLS and magnetic separation test work program was conducted on the ‘high-grade’ composite to confirm the effect of particle size on grade and recovery. This resulted in an increased lithium recovery coarse product of 72.1% while maintaining a spodumene product grade of 6.18% Li2O.
“These exceptional results in terms of concentrate grade, recovery and impurity profile re-enforce the quality of the Mavis Lake Lithium Project”
Commenting on the test work results, Critical Resources Managing Director, Alex Cheeseman, says: “These exceptional results in terms of concentrate grade, recovery and impurity profile re-enforce the quality of the Mavis Lake Lithium Project.
Metallurgical test work is a key step in advancing Mavis Lake along its development pathway, with that pathway underpinned by these excellent results. With continued, drilling and concurrent studies work, we are set on our pathway to unlocking the economic potential of Mavis Lake.”
The company has begun permitting to allow bulk sample collection which it intends to complete during the Canadian summer.
Critical Resources is an emerging critical minerals company, which holds a suite of lithium prospects across Ontario, Canada. These include Mavis Lake, Graphic Lake, Plaid, and Whiteloon Lake. The company’s other projects include the Block 4 and Block 5 Copper Project in Oman, and the Halls Peak Project in New South Wales, Australia.
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