American Lithium Corp. (“American Lithium” or the “Company”)
(TSX-V:LI | OTCQB: LIACF | Frankfurt:5LA1) is pleased to provide
details of a recent breakthrough on process development at its
Tonopah Lithium Claims Project (“TLC”) located close to Tonopah,
Nevada.
Highlights:
- Ongoing process work at Hazen
Research Inc. has shown that roasting TLC lithium bearing
claystones with sulfate and chloride salts, followed by water
leaching, results in 82% of lithium being extracted with a
significantly lower impurity load as compared to acid
leaching.
- This alternative processing method
will be investigated further at both Hazen Research Inc. in Golden,
Colorado (“Hazen”) and at TECMMINE in Lima, Peru (“TECMMINE”).
- Test work at Hazen has so far
utilized non-upgraded TLC claystones. Additional work will also
commence on mechanically upgraded TLC claystones with even better
results anticipated.
- Full roasting / water leaching
results will be compared to results for sulfuric acid leaching to
ascertain which method is best from an economic and environmental
perspective.
- TLC claystone mineralization
continues to demonstrate exceptional ability to be concentrated and
amenable to multiple process options with lithium carbonate having
already been produced.
- This latest round of process work is
focused on optimizing flow-sheet design to deliver strong
environmental and economic benefits to enable a robust Preliminary
Economic Assessment.
Dr. Laurence Stefan, COO of American Lithium,
states, “The early success of roasting demonstrates once again the
robust nature of the TLC lithium resource and its processing
versatility. This new metallurgical approach opens the door widely
to produce either lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide or both
from the TLC project. The extremely low level of impurities in the
leachate provides many advantages over the successful sulfuric acid
leaching technique that has been the focus to date. We are excited
to investigate the roasting route further and will be comparing the
overall environmental and economic profiles of each route to make
the best decision for the project moving forward.”
American Lithium Provides TLC Process
Update:
The TLC project has previously shown that its
Li-rich claystones are amenable to rapid sulfuric acid leaching,
with lithium extraction in sulfate solution reaching 92% in 10
minutes, for some of the samples. While the flowsheet for sulfuric
acid leaching has been successful and is being further optimized,
an alternative roasting / water leaching technique has demonstrated
early success and will be investigated with additional laboratory
test work.
Experiments performed at Hazen Research Inc. in
Golden, Colorado, demonstrate that roasting the lithium bearing
claystones at 900°C with sulfate and chloride salts (sodium
chloride, sodium sulfate, and/or gypsum - calcium sulfate
dihydrate) and then leaching in 60°C water for 2 hours, results in
82% of the lithium being extracted into aqueous solution. This
roasting process followed by water leaching not only increased the
final pH of the solution to 8.5, making the eventual final lithium
carbonate or hydroxide precipitation much easier, but also produced
an astonishingly low level of impurities, when compared to sulfuric
acid leaching.
Heavy elements such as iron, aluminum, and
manganese in the leachate are below detection limit (<10 ppm),
with magnesium extraction below 1% (54 ppm) and calcium extraction
below 3% (500 ppm). As expected, sodium and potassium are leached
in greater quantities, but still at manageable levels (Na 78%; K
52% extraction in aqueous solution). Test work at TECMMINE shows a
good rubidium extraction of 63%. The high extraction of potassium
and rubidium presents the opportunity to produce saleable
by-products such as potash as fertilizer and rubidium hydroxide for
industrial applications. The overall impurities level in the
aqueous solution obtained to date, through roasting and water
leaching, presents a legitimate alternative route to producing
battery-grade lithium chemicals from TLC claystone
mineralization.
Additional test work is underway to build on
these initial results and further investigate the roasting
process-route at Hazen and at TECMMINE and the results will be
fully compared to sulfuric acid leaching once sufficient data is
compiled. American Lithium plans to compare the roasting option to
acid leaching both in terms of capex, opex, environmental footprint
and economic performance.
As previously announced on March 23, 2021, TLC
claystones can be upgraded by up to 66%, in terms of lithium
grades, using hydrocyclones and centrifuges. The preliminary test
work on roasting was performed on non-upgraded claystones and
further progress and efficiencies are anticipated from testing
upgraded samples.
In parallel, hydrochloric acid leaching test
work has started with TECMMINE. TECMMINE was instrumental in
optimizing the leaching and precipitation of battery grade lithium
from the Company’s high-grade Falchani project in Peru and will be
a key player in the optimization of flowsheets for TLC.
Dr. Laurence Stefan, COO of American Lithium,
concluded “As we continue to optimize processes for the extraction
of lithium from TLC claystone mineralization, we will be comparing
overall environmental and economic performance for all relevant
routes. American Lithium is fortunate that we have so many
excellent options from which to produce battery grade lithium
compounds from TLC which will enable us to select the best overall
route for feasibility and to have other options if needed in the
future. We currently anticipate finalizing this process this
Fall.”
Qualified PersonDr. Jarrett
Quinn, Ph.D., P. Eng. (OIQ 5018119), Consulting Metallurgist for
American Lithium, and a Qualified Person as defined by National
Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has
reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information
related to metallurgical testing at Hazen Research Inc. contained
in this news release.
Mr. Ted O’Connor, P.Geo., a Director of American Lithium, and a
Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards
of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the
scientific and technical information related to TECMMINE contained
in this news release.
About American
LithiumAmerican Lithium is actively engaged in the
acquisition, exploration and development of lithium projects within
mining-friendly jurisdictions throughout the Americas. The company
is currently focused on enabling the shift to the new energy
paradigm through the continued exploration and development of its
strategically located TLC lithium claystone project in the richly
mineralized Esmeralda lithium district in Nevada as well as
continuing to advance its Falchani lithium and Macusani uranium
development projects in southeastern Peru. Both Falchani and
Macusani have been through preliminary economic assessments,
exhibit strong additional exploration potential and are situated
near significant infrastructure.
Please watch our informative project update
videos and related background information
at https://www.americanlithiumcorp.com
For more information, please contact the Company
at info@americanlithiumcorp.com or visit our website
at www.americanlithiumcorp.com. Follow us
on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of
American Lithium Corp.
“Simon Clarke”
CEO & Director
Tel: 604 428 6128
For further information, please contact:
American Lithium Corp. |
|
Email: info@americanlithiumcorp.com |
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Website: www.americanlithiumcorp.com |
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Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation
Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the
TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this press release.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward
Looking InformationThis news release contains certain
forward-looking information and forward-looking statements
(collectively “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of
applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than
statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are
not limited to, statements regarding the plans, objectives and
advancement of the TLC, Falchani and Macusani (the “Projects”),
exploration drilling plans, in-fill and expansion drilling plans,
results of exploration and development plans, expansion of
resources and testing of new deposits, environmental and social
community permitting, and any other statements regarding the
business plans, expectations and objectives of American Lithium.
Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words
as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate",
"intend", “indicate”, “scheduled”, “target”, “goal”, “potential”,
“subject”, “efforts”, “option” and similar words, or the negative
connotations thereof, referring to future events and results.
Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and
expectations of management are not, and cannot be, a guarantee of
future results or events. Although American Lithium believes that
the current opinions and expectations reflected in such
forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information
available at the time, undue reliance should not be placed on
forward-looking statements since American Lithium can provide no
assurance that such opinions and expectations will prove to be
correct. All forward-looking statements are
inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks
and uncertainties, including risks, uncertainties and assumptions
related to: American Lithium’s ability to achieve its stated goals,
including the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of Plateau
Energy Metals Inc. (“Plateau”); the estimated costs associated with
the advancement of the Projects; risks and uncertainties relating
to the COVID-19 pandemic and the extent and manner to which
measures taken by governments and their agencies, American Lithium
or others to attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19 could affect
American Lithium, which could have a material adverse impact on
many aspects of American Lithium’s businesses including but not
limited to: the ability to access mineral properties for
indeterminate amounts of time, the health of the employees or
consultants resulting in delays or diminished capacity, social or
political instability in Peru which in turn could impact American
Lithium’s ability to maintain the continuity of its business
operating requirements, may result in the reduced availability or
failures of various local administration and critical
infrastructure, reduced demand for the American Lithium’s potential
products, availability of materials, global travel restrictions,
and the availability of insurance and the associated costs; risks
related to the certainty of title to the properties of American
Lithium, including the status of the “Precautionary Measures” filed
by American Lithium’s subsidiary Macusani Yellowcake S.A.C.
(“Macusani”), the outcome of the administrative process, the
judicial process, and any and all future remedies pursued by
American Lithium and its subsidiary Macusani to resolve the title
for 32 of its concessions; risks regarding the ongoing Ontario
Securities Commission regulatory proceedings; the ongoing ability
to work cooperatively with stakeholders, including but not limited
to local communities and all levels of government; the potential
for delays in exploration or development activities due to the
COVID-19 pandemic; the interpretation of drill results, the
geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the possibility
that any future exploration, development or mining results will not
be consistent with our expectations; risks that permits will not be
obtained as planned or delays in obtaining permits; mining and
development risks, including risks related to accidents, equipment
breakdowns, labour disputes (including work stoppages, strikes and
loss of personnel) or other unanticipated difficulties with or
interruptions in exploration and development; risks related to
commodity price and foreign exchange rate fluctuations; risks
related to foreign operations; the cyclical nature of the industry
in which American Lithium operates; risks related to failure to
obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms
or delays in obtaining governmental approvals; risks related to
environmental regulation and liability; political and regulatory
risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the
uncertain global economic environment and the effects upon the
global market generally, and due to the COVID-19 pandemic measures
taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19, any of which could continue
to negatively affect global financial markets, including the
trading price of American Lithium’s shares and could negatively
affect American Lithium’s ability to raise capital and may also
result in additional and unknown risks or liabilities to American
Lithium. Other risks and uncertainties related to prospects,
properties and business strategy of American Lithium are identified
in the “Risks and Uncertainties” section of Plateau’s Management’s
Discussion and Analysis filed on June 25, 2021, in the “Risk
Factors” section of American Lithium’s Management’s Discussion and
Analysis filed on June 25, 2021, and in recent securities filings
available at www.sedar.com. Actual events or results may differ
materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
American Lithium undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking
statements except as required by applicable securities laws.
Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements.
Cautionary Note Regarding Macusani
ConcessionsThirty-two of the 151 concessions held by
American Lithium’s subsidiary Macusani, are currently subject to
Administrative and Judicial processes (together, the “Processes”)
in Peru to overturn resolutions issued by INGEMMET and the Mining
Council of MINEM in February 2019 and July 2019, respectively,
which declared Macusani’s title to the 32 of the concessions
invalid due to late receipt of the annual validity payment.
Macusani successfully applied for injunctive relief on 32
concessions in a Court in Lima, Peru, and the grant of the
Precautionary Measures (Medida Cautelar) has restored the title,
rights and validity of those 32 concessions to Macusani until a
final decision is obtained in at the last stage of the judicial
process. If American Lithium’s subsidiary Macusani does not obtain
a successful resolution of Processes, Macusani’s title to the
concessions could be revoked.
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