Key Points
Operations
• L-Max Pilot Plant commissioning commenced in April 2019 and the design and construction phase is on-track to complete on 30 April, as per schedule and within budget before contingency.
• Concentrate feed preparation for the Pilot Plant is well advanced following receipt of a 20 tonne sample of lepidolite mineralisation from the Alvaroes mine in early March.
• High purity lithium hydroxide was produced using a new proprietary process, LOH-MaxTM, over which Lepidico has entered into a worldwide exclusivity arrangement.
• A preliminary process design has been developed for LOH-MaxTM for incorporation into the Pilot Plant. This parallel circuit will not result in any delay to the construction and operation of the Pilot Plant Project.
• Considerable capital cost savings have been identified associated with the integration of LOH-MaxTM into the Phase 1 Plant design. Engineering work is scheduled to commence in June based on data from the Pilot Plant operation.
• Global Mineral Resource tonnes at Alvarroes increased by 290% and contained lithium rose by approximately 210%, versus the December 2017 estimate. The Mineral Resource is estimated at 5.87 Mt @ 0.87% Li2O in Indicated and Inferred categories.
• Drilling at Youanmi identified the presence of a number of lepidolite-mineralised individual pegmatites that could collectively provide sufficient tonnage for an economic opportunity.
Corporate
• Cash and cash equivalents as at 31 March 2019 of $4.9 million and no debt.
• National and regional patent processes for L-Max® and S-MaxTM progressing.
For further information please download PDF attached:
Download this document
