The objective of the test work was to produce a spodumene concentrate which meets the specifications required for sale. Pic: via Getty Images.
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Maiden test work at Azure Minerals’ giant Andover hard rock lithium project is off to a great start, returning grades of 5.59% Li2O spodumene concentrate with a recovery of 82.37%.
The test work used whole-of-ore floatation to produce marketable spodumene concentrate, with spodumene being the dominant lithium-bearing mineral, containing ~95% of the total lithium content.
Notably, this is early stage test work – results are expected to get better from here.
“The commencement of the metallurgical test work program is a significant step forward in Azure’s understanding of the mineralisation being defined at the Andover lithium project,” Azure Minerals (ASX:AZS) MD Tony Rovira said.
“The marketable concentrate grade of 5.59% Li2O produced at a recovery of 82.37% is an excellent result at such an early stage and it is expected that both the grade and recovery will be further improved as part of the next stage of test work.”
The test work indicated that the mineralisation is well-suited to industry standard floatation processing common in Tier 1 lithium projects globally.
“The metallurgical test work completed to date indicates that processing of ore from the project will be undertaken via industry-standard whole-of-ore flotation to produce a spodumene concentrate,” Rovira said.
“This is a well-established methodology for the treatment of spodumene ores and is the processing methodology currently being deployed at Tier 1 projects, both here in Western Australia and overseas.”
Final assay results from the remaining composite samples are expected shortly.
The next stage of test work will consider magnetic separation and sulphide pre-floatation which is anticipated to significantly reduce the iron present in the spodumene concentrate.
The company will also establish the grind size, refined the reagent regime for the proposed flowsheet, complete ore-sorting test work along with completing geometallurgical modelling in conjunction with the mineral resource estimate to assist with process design and engineering.
The ongoing exploration success at Andover led to the company recent raising $130m from the market with backing from Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (SQM), one of the world’s largest lithium producers, which increased its stake in the company up from 19.8% to 19.99%.
The company is looking to prove up a 100Mt and 240Mt @ 1-1.5% Li20 exploration target.
Exploration and infill drilling is currently ongoing at Target Area 1 at the project, with another two diamond rigs drilling the pegmatites at Target Area 2.
Azure is also clearing tracks and drill pads at Target Area 3 following the receipt of approvals.
Drilling at Target Area 3 is expected to start shortly a prospect that is exciting given that the pegmatites in the area were the highest ranked lithium targets defined by pre-drilling groundwork at Andover.
This article was developed in collaboration with Azure 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.
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