Galan is more certain than ever that its Hombre Muerto West will be capable of supporting a 4,000tpa LCE pilot plant following the success of a second long-term pump test.

The test at the PBRS-01-21 well (Rana de Sal) resulted in the constant flow of 25 litres per second of lithium-rich brine – averaging 967mg/L lithium with low impurities, which reinforces the first test completed on the PPB-01-21 well (Pata Pila) during July 2022.

Along with the ongoing third pump test at PPB-02-21, which has achieved a steady 20 L/s flow rate, the results to date support the requirements for Galan Lithium’s (ASX:GLN) planned 4,000 tonne per annum lithium carbonate equivalent pilot.

Further de-risking come from two site-based batch evaporation tests that successfully delivered a 6% lithium concentrated brine (about 13% Li2O) with low impurities.

“The Galan team continues to drive the HMW Project forward at pace. The HMW Project has the highest grade and lowest impurity lithium brine in Argentina,” managing director JP Vargas de la Vega said.

“Our long-term pumping testwork is delivering the targeted results at the same time as we are demonstrating the viability of our process design via successful site-based batch evaporation tests.

“The original HMW pilot plant is also on track for the commencement of continuous production within six months.

“As our current technical evaluation work starts to culminate into the delivery of the DFS, we are also rapidly advancing our environmental impact assessment work, with both expected to be finalised during Q1 CY2023.”

Other activity

Exploration drilling at Hombre Muerto West in Argentina is continuing with the diamond drill rig currently finalising an observation well at the Pucara del Salar tenement after completing two holes at the e Del Condor tenement.

Drilling is also planned at the Santa Barbara southern tenements.

At the original pilot plant, ponds H1 and H2 have both achieved the expected brine quality while the addition of raw brine continues to support the required brine volumes to commence continuous production of lithium chloride concentrate expected in the second quarter of 2023.

This will in turn facilitate Galan’s ability to engage with potential off take partners.

Work on the DFS is progressing well with recent completion of the mass balance and general design of the ponds system and the equipment list rapidly progressing with an estimate of key quantities expected to commence within two weeks.

Likewise, the Environmental Impact Assessment study remains on schedule with baseline studies now finalised and the study team is currently developing the environmental and social impacts analysis.

Both the DFS and EIA are on schedule for delivery in the first quarter of 2023.

 

 

 

This article was developed in collaboration with Galan Lithium, 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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