LithiumBank Resources Corp. (TSX-V:LBNK) (OTCQX: LBNKF) (“LithiumBank” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the results from the desorption component of the initial Direct Lithium Extraction (“DLE”) pilot plant testing campaign at the Calgary facility. This follows the results announced from the adsorption stage of the pilot plant testing process that was previously announced September 11, 2024. The desorption campaign generated multiple lithium-rich liquors (eluates) ranging from 2,600 mg/L lithium (2.6 g/L Li) to >4,000 mg/L lithium (4 g/L Li) that were blended to make a composite eluate with an average grade of >3,100 mg/L lithium (>3.1 g/L Li). The composite eluate was then used as the feedstock for refinery and downstream laboratory test work to produce a battery-grade lithium carbonate (>99.95% purity) product.
Brine collected from Boardwalk was processed through the adsorption circuit of the cDLE® pilot plant and successfully achieved >98% lithium recovery as previously reported by the Company in September. The loaded ion exchange material (or sorbent) was then manually processed to desorb the lithium from the sorbent using a dilute sulfuric acid solution. This process produced an eluate that removed greater than or equal to 99% of the impurities leaving a lithium concentration of at least 3,100 mg/L lithium.
The eluate quality summarised in the table 1 below is the result of a single cycle. Eluate grade and purity were largely in-line with results predicted from previous test work at a lab scale that was previously announced on Nov. 22, 2023. Consistent with the project’s strategy of minimising the volumetric flow and impurity load entering the refinery, it is noted that the recent campaign demonstrated:
- An average lithium concentration upgrade from feed of 44x.
- The use of sulfuric acid – a low-cost industrial chemical – for desorption provides excellent rejection of impurities such as calcium, strontium and barium.
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