Critical metals explorer Widgie Nickel (ASX:WIN) has achieved 81% lithium recovery to a 6.3% lithium oxide concentrate through flowsheet development testwork at its Faraday Lithium Project in Western Australia.
The $71.4 million market capitalisation company reports further metallurgical and process flowsheet development testwork was undertaken at ALS Metallurgy in Perth using a 1.01% lithium oxide composite sample prepared from a diamond drillcore. This drillcore is considered indicative of the ‘higher-grade’ sections of the known Faraday mineralisation.
Widgie says the program design was guided by testing methods to simulate potential treatment options at existing concentrators with the aim of developing a bespoke process.
A composite sample made up of 90kg of half PQ diamond core was used in the program, which included size by assay analysis, heavy liquid separation (HLS) testing, trials with a multi-gravity separator (MGS) and grinding, low-intensity magnetic separation (LIMS), and de-slime and flotation testwork.
The company says a feature of the preliminary testwork to date has been the ‘consistently good’ quality of lithium concentrate produced through HLS testing of size fractions between 1mm and 10mm. The results for HLSs at 2.9 and 3 SG demonstrate lithium grades of the sinks are expressed by lithium oxide grades ranging from 6.5% to 7.2%, with iron content consistently below 1.15% Fe2O3.
Total alkalis including sodium superoxide and potassium oxide have been assayed for only the ‘higher-grade’ composites and returned less than 1.1%. Coupled with the coarse size of the concentrates, Widgie says these outcomes are ‘desirable’ properties for potential offtakers.
Widgie now reports it intends to further develop its ‘promising’ flowsheet and test samples representing a range of lithium grades that are reflective of the overall mineralisation. Rubidium assays will be tracked in this work to consider the case for mineralogical assessment and concentration testwork.
The company also notes it is continuing to progress final offtake discussions for Faraday after lodging a mining proposal with the Western Australian Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) in May 2023.
Commenting on the metallurgical testwork results, Widgie Nickel Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director Steve Norregaard says: “This excellent metallurgical response confirms the favourable mineralogy of Faraday mineralisation and is an important further step in the commercialisation of this valuable resource.
“Grade is one thing, but the ability to easily liberate the desired lithium mineral from your ore is as important”
Grade is one thing, but the ability to easily liberate the desired lithium mineral from your ore is as important. Widgie is increasingly confident of generating significant value from Faraday.
Our eyes are currently fixed on the short-term DSO opportunity, and these results will verify our discussions with DSO offtake partners while also informing longer-term potential.”
Widgie Nickel is a Perth-based critical metals explorer focused on its Mt Edwards, Widgie South, Widgie North, Widgie West, Lake Eaton-Mt Eaton, and Faraday-Trainline projects in Western Australia. According to its latest quarterly report published on 31 July 2023, the company had $11.845 million cash and cash equivalents at hand as of 30 June 2023.
Write to Harry Mulholland at Mining.com.au
Images: Widgie Nickel Ltd
