Nevada Sunrise Metals Corp. (TSXV: NEV) (OTC: NVSGF) is experimenting with a new form of metallurgical testing on lithium mineralization at its Gemini Lithium Project in Nevada using “supercritical” carbon dioxide as a leaching agent.
The company announced the testing of the new patent on Monday. The patented process offers an environmentally friendly alternative processing method while at the same time capturing carbon dioxide.
Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) is a substance used in industries like coffee decaffeination and plant oil extraction. It becomes supercritical at high pressure and a specific temperature, where it behaves like both a liquid and a gas, making it an effective solvent.
Additionally, scCO2 has been studied for its ability to store carbon dioxide (CO2) in different types of underground rock formations, including clay deposits.
In clay deposits, lithium is typically found in a loosely bound form between layers of clay minerals. In a process proposed by EMC, carbon dioxide is turned into bicarbonate, which easily combines with the released lithium ions, forming a water-soluble lithium bicarbonate compound.
This compound is more soluble than lithium carbonate. Additionally, some water between the clay layers is displaced by CO2, which can help capture and store carbon dioxide, making this method environmentally friendly for both lithium extraction and carbon capture.
Most of the testing for processing lithium in clay deposits off-site, but the company also recognizes the potential to do it on-site using freeze walls to trap CO2. This way, it can capture the carbon dioxide used in the lithium extraction process. The test results for the Gemini clay lithium extraction are expected to be available in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Nevada Sunrise Metals shares remained flat at $0.09 on Tuesday on the TSX Venture Exchange.
Carbon capture diagram. Image via Nevada Sunrise Metals.
Read more: Calibre Mining publishes open pit gold estimate for Cerro Volcan Gold, Nicaragua
Read more: Calibre Mining expands high-grade gold mineralization zones within Limon mine complex
Nevada is a multi-mineral state
Nevada is a significant hub for mining activities in the United States, and many mining companies operate in the state, extracting a variety of minerals and resources.
Some of the prominent mining companies operating in Nevada and the minerals they primarily mine include Vancouver-based gold junior, Calibre Mining (TSX: CXB) (OTCQX: CXBMF), as well as Barrick Gold (NYSE: GOLD) (TSX: ABX) and Nevada Copper Corp. (TSX: NCU).
Calibre reported impressive high-grade drill results at the Palomino target in July. Analysts from Haywood Securities were ‘gobsmacked’ by the consistent presence of gold mineralization in these results. The Pan mine, situated in the Battle Mountain – Eureka gold trend, operates as an open-pit operation in the style of Carlin-type deposits.
Meanwhile, Barrick Gold owns half of the Nevada Gold Mines joint venture with Newmont Corporation (TSX: NGT) (NYSE: NEM), and Nevada Copper Corp owns and operates the Pumpkin Hollow copper project.
Calibre Mining is a sponsor of Mugglehead news coverage
.
