Lithium South Development Corporation (TSXV: LIS) (OTCQB: LISMF) (Frankfurt: OGPQ) filed its updated mineral resource estimate and technical report on Monday for its Hombre Muerto North Project (HMN) in Argentina. The company is projecting a 40 per cent increase in lithium recovery for the project, which is expected to reach 70 per cent.
The company also increased its lithium resource by 175 per cent in 2023. The report was compiled by independent consultants, Groundwater Insight of Halifax, Nova Scotia. It provides details for the company’s recently upgraded lithium resource at the Hombre Muerto North Lithium Project.
The HMN Li Project encompasses five claims totalling 3,287 hectares, located in the Salar del Hombre Muerto of Salta Province, Argentina. The report defines a Lithium Carbonate Equivalent Resource (LCE) of 1.5 million tonnes with an average grade of 736 mg/L Li within the Alba Sabrina, Tramo, and Natalia Maria claim blocks.
The resource exhibits a low magnesium to lithium ratio of 3.27 and categorizes 90 per cent of the resource as Measured, the highest resource classification. Potential additional resources are yet to be evaluated at the Viamonte and Norma Edith claim blocks.
“We are very pleased with the substantial upgrade in our LCE Resource at the HMN Li Project and are excited to potentially achieve much higher lithium recoveries,” said Adrian F.C. Hobkirk, president and CEO of Lithium South.
“We await the completion of our updated Preliminary Economic Assessment which will further evaluate our newly defined, high quality lithium brine resource.”
Project list via Lithium South Development Corporation.
Read more: Lithium South Development first production well installed at Hombre Muerto lithium project
Read more: Lithium South Development expands production goals, updates PEA on Hombre Muerto lithium project
Natalia Maria property has the highest lithium grade
Lithium South’s qualified person, Mark King, oversaw the development of an updated mineral resource estimate for the HMN Project using three-dimensional modelling software. He deems the results to be valid and suitable for measured, indicated, and inferred mineral resource estimates, following the definitions referenced in the company’s NI 43-101 technical document.
The study’s findings encompass several key points. It highlights that conditions in the Alba Sabrina, Natalia Maria, and Tramo properties, have led to the accumulation of brine with potentially economically viable lithium grades.
Also, the Natalia Maria property boasts the highest lithium grade, while the Alba Sabrina property exhibits the lowest. The study documents a consistent increase in lithium grade as one moves eastward within the Tramo property.
We are very pleased with the substantial upgrade in our LCE Resource (over 175%) at the HMN Li Project and are excited to potentially achieve much higher #lithium recoveries.
Details: https://t.co/gbWEDXmeEN$LIS $LISMF $OROCF $TSLA $ALLI $APHLF #Mining #ElectricVehicles pic.twitter.com/VPDRXPNJEL
— Lithium South Development Corporation (@LithiumSouth) November 6, 2023
Additionally, the study underscores that the HMN Project brines maintain low levels of brine impurities, including potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulphate. In terms of ratios relative to the lithium resource, the calcium to lithium ratio stands at 0.93, the potassium to lithium ratio is 9.79, the sodium to lithium ratio measures 138.45, the magnesium to lithium ratio is 3.27, and the sulphate to lithium ratio equates to 16.62. These observations collectively contribute to the project’s overall assessment and potential for successful lithium extraction.
The report also evaluates the updated lithium recovery process plan for the HMN Li Project brines, employing the industry-proven evaporation method. An adjustment in the processing sequence will reduce lithium loss occurring as brine entrainments in harvested salts, magnesium hydroxide and calcium sulfate solids.
The Alba Sabrina, Natalia Maria, and Tramo properties collectively hold an estimated 297,400 tonnes of measured and indicated lithium resources, considering a 500 mg/L cut-off grade.
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