The test work will focus on spodumene recovery and ore upgradability. Pic: via Getty Images.
Burley kicks off metallurgical test work at Canadian lithium project
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- Metallurgical test work is underway at the Chubb lithium project
- Chubb sits just 10kms from the NAL operating spodumene mine
- Test work will focus on spodumene recovery
- Diamond drilling is ongoing to expand the project’s mineralised zones
Burley Minerals has commenced an initial metallurgical test work program on core samples from its Chubb lithium project in Québec, Canada.
The company picked up the project back in February, with its strategic location in the world-class lithium province of Québec a major drawcard.
The project is only 10km from the operating North American Lithium (NAL) mine, owned by Sayona Mining (ASX:SYA) and Piedmont Lithium, where first spodumene was shipped last month.
There are also several other emerging projects in the region, including Authier, where resources of 17Mt at 1.01 % Li2O have been reported.
Abundance of core samples and plenty of upside
Prior to the acquisition, 43 diamond drill holes for 5,460 m of drilling was completed across the site.
However, these tested only 2 of the 35 mineral claims acquired – meaning there’s significant upside potential for the company.
“Burley has core from the historic drilling program and also from the early part of our maiden drilling program at Chubb, so we have the luxury of an abundance of core samples for metallurgical test work,” Burley Minerals (ASX:BUR) MD and CEO Stewart McCallion said.
“It is great that we can get this work underway at such an early stage of exploration.
“The results of this metallurgical test work will give us a preliminary indication of spodumene recovery and ore upgradability, as we continue to expand and define the mineralised zones at the Chubb lithium project.
“I am very pleased with the work completed so far this year and I look forward to progressing this highly prospective project.”
Spodumene recovery the focus
The core samples to be tested were selected both from the historic drilling program and the 5,200m drilling program completed by Burley in July this year.
The purpose is to garner indications of spodumene recovery and spodumene beneficiation through typical spodumene processing circuits.
The test work will include:
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- Chemical and mineralogical characterization;
- Comminution test work (crushing work, ball work and abrasion indices determination);
- Heavy liquid separation test work;
- Magnetic separation test work;
- Hydro-separation test work;
- Flotation test work; and
- Environmental impact potential.
Test work and drilling ongoing
The metallurgical tests are expected to take up to four months to complete.
In the meantime, results from Burley’s maiden 5,200m diamond drilling campaign are pending.
In addition, data from an ambient noise tomography (ANT) geophysics survey is being analysed.
The latest diamond drill program is currently progressing at the Chubb project, testing for extensions to the mineralised zone.
The drilling will also test for spodumene in mapped, parallel pegmatite dykes.
This article was developed in collaboration with Burley Minerals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.
This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
