JINDALEE RESOURCES LIMITED (ASX: JRL) (Jindalee or the Company) announces the preferred lithium extraction process for its 100% owned McDermitt Project.
Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR), an American multinational engineering and construction firm, completed the review of Jindalee’s metallurgical testwork undertaken at the McDermitt Lithium Project. A range of lithium extraction methods was analysed in the review.
Based on the review, acid leaching with beneficiation was the most economically viable option for the Project. However, to refine the preferred flowsheet, it is recommended that metallurgical testwork begins immediately. This will support further studies on the Project, incorporating the recently updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE).
About McDermitt Project
The McDermitt Lithium Project, located in SE Oregon, is 100% owned by HiTech Minerals Inc., a wholly owned, US-based subsidiary of Jindalee. It is one of the largest lithium deposits in the United States.
Potential Pathways for Lithium Extraction
Presently, two possible methods for extracting lithium from sedimentary deposits, like McDermitt, include sulphuric acid leaching of either whole or beneficiated ore and alkali salt (sulphation) roasting.
Sulphuric Acid Leaching with Beneficiation
JINDALEE initially focused on using beneficiation and sulphuric acid leaching, which closely aligns with the proposed processing approach of the Thacker Pass project situated in the vicinity.
Highlights of the acid leach testwork results include:
- Lithium recoveries exceeded 95% THROUGH A SULPHURIC ACID (H2SO4) leaching process on the whole ore sample at moderate temperatures and atmospheric pressure
- Reduction in carbonate and analcime levels, which are minerals that consume acid, while increasing the lithium content in the fine-grained fraction BY OVER 50%, RAISING IT FROM 0.22% TO 0.34%
- An additional test on attrition scrubbing indicated that the lithium content in the fraction below 0.01MM INCREASED BY 60.9%, ELEVATING IT FROM 0.23% TO 0.37%
- Compared to previous experiments, recent experiments on beneficiated samples showed lithium can be extracted at rates between 94% TO 97%, WITH A 26% REDUCTION IN ACID CONSUMPTION PER UNIT OF LITHIUM
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