St-Georges Eco-Mining (CSE:SX) is supporting the development of domestic lithium processing capabilities, as pilot plant commission progresses.
To date, St-Georges and its technology partner Coalia have processed three tonnes of spodumene concentrate at leaching phase, with pilot plant operations progressing as planned. The company also confirms that a new filter press has been installed, effectively doubling filtration capacity and supporting increased throughput as commissioning advances.
Preliminary leaching tests conducted to validate the process conditions for pilot-scale operation demonstrated encouraging lithium recovery kinetics and controlled residue behaviour across the spodumene samples evaluated.
St-Georges says these results support the transition to the pilot-scale commissioning currently underway.
Comprehensive leaching test results from pilot scale spodumene campaigns are expected toward the end of March 2026, while pilot scale black mass leaching tests are anticipated to follow in early April, subject to ongoing commissioning progress.
Chairman Frank Dumas says the St-Georges Metallurgy pilot plant continues to advance through commissioning with increasing throughput and infrastructure upgrades.
“Processing Canadian spodumene reinforces the strategic relevance of this program and supports the development of domestic lithium processing capabilities,” Dumas says.
The partners continue advancing the installation of the first purification stage, a key component for lithium solution concentration and downstream product generation.
While most equipment has been received and installed, completion is pending delivery of a transformer required for operation. Final commissioning of the first purification stage is currently expected within the coming weeks.
Natural Resources Canada is supporting Coalia’s lithium pilot plant project with a $4 million investment through the Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration program.
During the commissioning phase, St-Georges Metallurgy received approximately five tonnes of spodumene concentrate from Canadian mining operations qualifying under the company’s research program, as well as approximately 900kg of lithium-ion battery black mass for future processing efforts.
St-Georges Eco-Mining develops new technologies and holds a diversified portfolio of assets and patent-pending intellectual property within several highly prospective subsidiaries.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: St-Georges Eco-Mining
