Li-FT Power Ltd. (“
LIFT” or the
“
Company”) (
TSXV: LIFT)
(
OTCQX: LIFFF) (
Frankfurt:
WS0) is pleased to report results from the
metallurgical sampling program completed in 2023 and 2024 across
eight spodumene deposits within the Yellowknife Lithium Project,
Northwest Territories, Canada. Metallurgical test work comprised of
heavy liquid separation (HLS) testing, dense media separation (DMS)
testing, and batch flotation testing was executed by SGS Canada
Inc. (“SGS”) in Lakefield, Ontario. Testing was completed on
samples from the Big East (BigE), Big West (BigW), Nite, Ki, Echo,
Fi Main (FiM), Fi Southwest (FiSW), and Hi pegmatites.
Table 1- Summary of Results
Sample |
Flowsheet |
Wt. |
Assays (%) |
Recovery (%) |
(%) |
Li |
Li2O |
Fe2O3 |
Li |
Fe2O3 |
BigE |
Two-stage DMS + Flotation |
21.1 |
2.7 |
5.79 |
0.76 |
87.4 |
29.3 |
BigW |
11.1 |
2.67 |
5.75 |
0.76 |
81.4 |
16.0 |
Nite |
22.4 |
2.69 |
5.78 |
0.74 |
89.3 |
28.7 |
Ki |
18.4 |
2.8 |
6.02 |
0.58 |
84.8 |
22.8 |
Echo |
15.7 |
2.87 |
6.17 |
0.85 |
87.1 |
13.8 |
FiM |
Single-stage DMS + Flotation |
15.8 |
2.6 |
5.59 |
0.49 |
60.8 |
14.7 |
FiSW |
17.9 |
2.68 |
5.76 |
0.45 |
72.3 |
14.5 |
Hi |
16.7 |
2.69 |
5.77 |
0.46 |
70.1 |
14.6 |
|
|
|
|
5.83 |
|
79.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Spodumene Concentrate Grade
(Li2O %) |
5.83 |
|
|
|
Average Global Lithium Recovery (%) |
79.1 |
|
|
|
Francis MacDonald, CEO of LIFT comments, “We are
very pleased to report that the comprehensive metallurgical testing
studies in preparation for our upcoming Preliminary Economic
Assessment (PEA) yielded positive results. Studies notably included
pilot-scale DMS testing that indicated that this lower-cost
separation method is suitable for the spodumene-enriched pegmatite
dikes that are targeted for the more accessible early mining sites
that we envision could comprise lithium production in the district
for a generation or more. As such the results of these important
studies underpin the high value potential for our Yellowknife
lithium project.”
Details of metallurgical
program
Lithium chemical analysis of the metallurgical
samples was performed by sodium peroxide fusion digestion followed
by inductively coupled plasma optical spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Whole
rock analysis (WRA) was performed by borate fusion and X-ray
Fluorescence (XRF). Elemental compositions of the pegmatite samples
are presented in Table 2. Pegmatite sample grades
ranged from 0.86% to 1.46% Li2O and from 0.24% to 0.48% Fe2O3.
Table 2: Chemical analysis of the
metallurgical samples
Component |
Composition (%) |
BigE |
BigW |
Nite |
FiM |
FiSW |
HI |
KI |
Echo |
LiLi2OFe2O3SiO2Al2O3MgOCaONa2OK2OMnO |
0.631.350.4473.616.20.160.244.062.560.06 |
0.400.860.3473.815.70.070.284.522.880.05 |
0.671.440.4873.916.00.060.243.772.550.10 |
0.681.460.2773.016.40.070.303.932.570.02 |
0.621.330.2974.016.10.070.263.972.760.03 |
0.631.350.3973.416.20.080.303.832.630.03 |
0.601.290.2473.516.10.080.283.922.790.02 |
0.561.200.3373.116.40.100.244.532.530.04 |
The mineralogical compositions of the
metallurgical samples were determined using the semi-quantitative
XRD and are shown in Table 2 . Spodumene concentrations in the
pegmatites ranged from 11.0% to 18.3% and are in line with lithium
concentrations (i.e., spodumene is the dominant lithium-bearing
mineral identified). Minor amounts (1%) of triphylite (LiFe(PO4))
was detected in the FiM sample. Muscovite concentrations in the
pegmatite samples ranged from 4.5% to 7.8%. Minor quantities
(<1%) of iron-bearing minerals (e.g., chlorite, chlinochlore)
were detected.
Table 3 – Metallurgical sample mineralogy
from semi-quantitative XRD. Only minor amounts of non-spodumene
lithium-bearing minerals were found in samples with ~99% of lithia
being hosted in spodumene.
Mineral |
Composition (%) |
BigE |
BigW |
Nite |
FiM |
FiSW |
Hi |
Ki |
Echo |
Spodumene |
17.9 |
11 |
18.3 |
17.8 |
17.3 |
17.2 |
13.0 |
14.6 |
Albite |
36.5 |
38.9 |
34.2 |
33.3 |
34.6 |
34.7 |
34.0 |
40.4 |
Quartz |
26.5 |
28.3 |
28.7 |
28.8 |
28.2 |
28.9 |
27.3 |
26.5 |
Microcline |
12.8 |
15.7 |
13.1 |
10.3 |
13.7 |
12.3 |
13.0 |
11.6 |
Muscovite |
4.9 |
4.5 |
4.1 |
7.8 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
6.0 |
5.4 |
Fluorapatite |
0.6 |
0.7 |
1.1 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
0.8 |
0.9 |
0.8 |
Triphylite |
- |
- |
- |
1.0 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Beryl |
0.2 |
0.7 |
0.3 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
0.3 |
0.2 |
Magnetite |
0.2 |
0.3 |
0.2 |
0.1 |
0.3 |
0.3 |
0.2 |
0.3 |
Chlorite |
0.3 |
- |
- |
0.3 |
- |
0.3 |
- |
- |
Chlionochlore |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
0.2 |
- |
Total |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
Heavy Liquid Separation (HLS) tests were
performed on eight metallurgical samples. The samples were sourced
from saw-cut channel samples on the surface of the various dykes.
The samples were stage-crushed to a top crush size of 6.35 mm. The
-6.35 mm +0.85 mm fraction was submitted for HLS testing which
achieved global lithium recoveries ranging from 29% to 68%
(interpolated to 5.5% Li2O concentrate grade). HLS test results are
presented in Figure 1.
Figure 1 – HLS global lithium
grade-recovery curves
Pilot-scale DMS was operated on each
metallurgical sample. Two-stage DMS was undertaken on five of the
samples (i.e., BigE, BigW, Nite, Ki, and Echo) and a single-stage
DMS was operated on three of the samples (i.e., FIM, FiSW, and
Hi).
For the two-stage DMS tests, global lithium
recovery ranged from 49.9% to 60.4% with spodumene concentrate
grade ranging from 5.81% to 6.41% Li2O with relatively low iron
content ranging from 0.62% to 0.88% Fe2O3. For single-stage DMS
operation (pre-concentrate production), global lithium recovery to
the fines and sinks stream ranged from 93.0% to 95.2%.
Pre-concentrate grades ranged from 1.90% to 2.02% Li2O and 0.53% to
0.55% Fe2O3.
Table 4 - Pilot-scale DMS test work
results
DMS |
Sample |
DMS Products |
Wt. |
Assays (%) |
Recovery (%) |
(%) |
Li |
Li2O |
Fe2O3 |
Li |
Fe2O3 |
Two-Stage DMS |
BigE |
Concentrate (Stage 2 Sinks) |
14.9 |
2.7 |
5.81 |
0.71 |
59.9 |
17.8 |
BigW |
7.8 |
2.71 |
5.83 |
0.75 |
57.4 |
11.9 |
Nite |
15.4 |
2.71 |
5.83 |
0.77 |
60.4 |
27.4 |
Ki |
10.8 |
2.86 |
6.15 |
0.62 |
49.9 |
18.1 |
Echo |
10.5 |
2.98 |
6.41 |
0.88 |
58.4 |
19.5 |
Single-Stage DMS |
FiM |
Pre-Concentrate (Fines + Stage 1 Sinks) |
72 |
0.88 |
1.9 |
0.53 |
93 |
80.9 |
FiSW |
68.1 |
0.9 |
1.94 |
0.54 |
95.1 |
76.7 |
Hi |
66.8 |
0.94 |
2.02 |
0.55 |
95.2 |
77.9 |
Three sets of flotation tests were performed on
head samples or products from DMS operation (fines and DMS Stage 1
sinks or fines and Stage 2 DMS floats). For the flotation tests
undertaken on the head samples, all samples produced roughly 5.5%
Li2O spodumene concentrate with lithium recovery ranging from
roughly 69% to 72%. For flotation tests undertaken on the fines and
stage 2 DMS floats, 5.5% Li2O spodumene concentrate was produced
with lithium recovery ranging from 56% to 75% (Figure 2). For
flotation tests undertaken on the fines and stage 1 DMS sinks, 5.5%
Li2O concentrate was produced with lithium recovery ranging from
roughly 66% to 77% (Figure 3).
Figure 2 - Flotation test results on DMS
fines and stage 2 DMS floats
Figure 3 - Flotation test results on
fines and DMS Stage 1 sinks
Overall laboratory lithium recoveries were
calculated based on the DMS and batch flotation test results.
Results for the two-stage DMS and flotation flowsheet produced
combined concentrates ranging in grade from 5.75% to 6.17% Li2O and
lithium recoveries ranging from 81% to 87%. Tests undertaken with a
single-stage DMS pre-concentration step followed by flotation
produced concentrates ranging in grade from 5.59% to 5.77% Li2O
with laboratory-scale lithium recoveries ranging from 61% to
72%.
Qualified Person
The disclosure in this news release of
scientific and technical information regarding LIFT’s mineral
properties has been reviewed and approved by Jarrett Quinn, Ph.D.,
P.Eng, Process Director, Synectiq Inc.., and a Qualified Person as
defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for
Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) and member in good standing of the
Ordre des Ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ) (Registration number:
5018119).
About LIFT
LIFT is a mineral exploration company engaged in
the acquisition, exploration, and development of lithium pegmatite
projects located in Canada. The Company’s flagship project is the
Yellowknife Lithium Project located in Northwest Territories,
Canada. LIFT also holds three early-stage exploration properties in
Quebec, Canada with excellent potential for the discovery of buried
lithium pegmatites, as well as the Cali Project in Northwest
Territories within the Little Nahanni Pegmatite Group.
For further information, please
contact:
Francis
MacDonald |
Daniel
Gordon |
Chief Executive Officer |
Investor Relations |
Tel: + 1.604.609.6185 |
Tel: +1.604.609.6185 |
Email: info@li-ft.com |
Email: investors@li-ft.com |
Website: www.li-ft.com |
|
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking
Information
Certain statements included in this press
release constitute forward-looking information or statements
(collectively, “forward-looking statements”), including those
identified by the expressions “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”,
“estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “should” and similar
expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its
management. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts
but reflect current expectations regarding future results or
events. This press release contains forward looking statements.
These forward-looking statements and information reflect
management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by
and information currently available to the company with respect to
the matter described in this new release.
Forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties, which are based on current expectations as of the
date of this release and subject to known and unknown risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those expressed or implied by such statements. Additional
information about these assumptions and risks and uncertainties is
contained under "Risk Factors and Uncertainties" in the Company's
latest annual information form filed on March 27, 2024, which
is available under the Company's SEDAR+ profile
at www.sedarplus.ca, and in other filings that the Company has
made and may make with applicable securities authorities in the
future. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made only
as to the date of this press release and we undertake no obligation
to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as
required by law. We caution investors not to place considerable
reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press
release.
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the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
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