Global Lithium Resources (ASX:GL1) reports ‘excellent’ results have been received from the second round of preliminary metallurgical test work carried out on diamond core samples from the Marble Bar Lithium Project (MBLP) in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
The growing multi-asset West Australian lithium company notes that BGRIMM Technology Group has been engaged by Global Lithium to carry out laboratory metallurgical test work in Beijing, China. BGRIMM is touted as the largest comprehensive research and design institution focusing on mining and metallurgical science and engineering technology in China.
‘Excellent’ results were achieved in this preliminary metallurgical test work program and potential processing options with recommended flow sheets will be developed based on best market practise.
Global Lithium Resources reports that further test work is required to improve the rejection of iron bearing gangue minerals, and therefore improve the concentrate grade and Li2O recovery. Also, further investigation is required into the influence of site water on flotation performance, into grindability of the ore, and into recovery of beryllium, tantalum and niobium.
Addressing the results, Global Lithium Managing Director Ron Mitchell commented: “This second round of preliminary results from the ongoing metallurgical test work for our MBLP continue to impress with grades and recoveries produced meeting industry expectations.
“Achieving lithium recoveries of 85% is certainly something we are excited about”
Achieving lithium recoveries of 85% is certainly something we are excited about.
These results, as did the initial results released in August, fully support the prospect of MBLP becoming a standalone lithium operation in the years to come.”
The test composite sample, which returned a head assay of 1.17% Li2O, was made from two PQ size drillholes sourced from the MBLP (holes MBDD001 and MBDD002). Sample MBDD001 weighed 50kg with a grade of 1.02% Li2O, sample MBDD002 weighed 20kg with a grade of 1.50% Li2O.
The BGRIMM test work program consisted of mineralogy study and a series of condition optimal tests on flotation with Beijing tap water. Those tests included grinding size, type and dosage of activating agents, NaOH dosage and stirring time, type and dosage of collecting agents, Na2CO3 dosage, type and dosage of inhibitor agent.
Under the optimal conditions derived from the above tests, open circuit flotation test and closed-circuit flotation test are conducted.
The lithium mineral in the ore is spodumene. Spodumene normally appears in columnar monomer, followed by intergrowth with gangue minerals such as quartz and feldspar, with a trace amount wrapped in the gangue minerals.
Such embedded characteristics indicate that spodumene is easy to be liberated by grinding, which is conducive to processing recovery.
Under the grind size 70% passing 74μm a concentrate grade of 5.76% Li2O and recovery of 85.28% Li2O were obtained in the closed flotation circuit.
Further magnetic separation test work, using a magnetic field strength of 1 Tesla, on the flotation concentrate to reduce the Fe2O3 content was performed. The final flotation concentrate, after magnetic separation, assayed 5.92% Li2O and 0.96% Fe2O3 and overall flotation and magnetic test work lithia recovery of 78.66% Li2O.
Laboratory test work only provides an indication of the expected processing performance of the sample that has been tested.
This test work does not account for changes in performance that may occur from scale up to full plant operation. Further test work and studies are required before the expected recovery across the deposit or for an operating plant can be estimated.
The company reports that this test work has only been conducted on a composite sample from 2 drill core samples and more test work is required to determine whether these samples are representative of the broader deposit.
Global Lithium is a diversified West Australian focused mining exploration company with multiple assets in key lithium branded jurisdictions with a primary focus on the 100%-owned MBLP in the Pilbara region and the 80%-interest in the Manna Lithium Project in the Goldfields, Western Australia.
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
Images: Global Lithium Resources Ltd
