Lithium By-Product Test Work Produces High-Purity Concentrate

AfriTin Mining Limited (AIM: ATM), an African technology metals mining company with a portfolio of mining and exploration assets in Namibia, is pleased to announce metallurgical test work results showing the successful production of a petalite lithium concentrate, indicating the potential for a lithium by-product at the Company’s flagship polymetallic asset, the Uis Mine (“Uis”).

Link to full pdf version with images: https://afritinmining.com/lithium-by-product-test-work-produces-high-purity-concentrate/

Highlights:

• A high-purity (up to 94%) petalite lithium concentrate was produced from bulk ore samples by independent test facilities;
• Confirms high-grade, ultra-low iron petalite at 4.34% Li2O and contaminants levels of 0.03% Fe2O3 and 0.93% alkalis (Na2O + K2O);
• The Company expects the concentrate to meet demand from premium glass and ceramics manufacturers, and be suitable feedstock for battery-grade lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide converters;
• A large bulk sample (11 tonnes) was collected to produce petalite lithium concentrate samples for distribution to potential offtakers; and
• EPCM contractor appointed for the design and construction of a lithium pilot processing plant at the Uis Mine.

Anthony Viljoen (CEO) commented:

“We are pleased to announce the results from the first phase of lithium test work for the Uis Mine, showing the potential for producing a high-quality petalite lithium concentrate from our lithium mineral resource.

The lithium resource is contained within the currently mined ore body, and the lithium concentrate will be a by-product to our existing tin concentrate. These positive test results allow us to progress to the design and construction of a lithium pilot plant at Uis.

Petalite concentrate has historically been sold into the technical market, as feedstock in glass and ceramics industry. Given the increasing global demand for lithium supply and the quality of our lithium, we are also receiving in-bound enquiries from the lithium conversion industry who can develop petalite into battery-grade lithium carbonate or hydroxide. Techno-economic modelling of an expanded operation (see announcement of Uis Phase 2 PEA on 26 April 2022) has highlighted the substantial revenue potential of lithium for the Uis Mine.”

News in full

In the interview below, Anthony Viljoen provides an overview of the business and gives a snapshot of the tin market