(TheNewswire)
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Heavy Liquid Separation (“HLS”) tests on a 2 tonbulk samples taken from the K-dump produced a 6+% Li O spodumene concentrate at four different sizeclassifications.
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HLS tests produced a 6.5% Li2O spodumene concentrate atoverall lithium recoveries exceeding 60%.
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Fe content of +- 1.3% in finalspodumene concentrate to be reduced further with magnetic separationin Phase 2 testworks.
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HLS testing is the industry standard lab bench scaletesting to establish if physical metallurgy will be sufficient tobeneficiate mineral deposits into sellable concentrates.
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In the K- dump, Li O, Sn and Taare evenly distributed across the different size fraction from -5mm to+45 µm. Lithium recoveries increased with size fraction while tin andtantalum had improved recoveries in the finer fractions whichindicated that the tin and tantalum required further liberation toimprove recoveries.
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Upstream classification, Dense Media Separation(“DMS”) and gravity concentration technologies will be evaluatedduring the Phase 2 testwork program to design the optimal plant forlithium, tin, and tantalum extraction.
Toronto, Ontario – TheNewswire - September 13, 2022 – Tantalex Lithium Resources Corp.(CSE:TTX ) – ( FSE:DW8 ) – ( OTC:TTLXF) (“ Tantalex ” or the“ Corporation ”), is pleased to announce theresults of the metallurgical testwork on a 331 kg composite bulksample (sub sample of the approx. 2 tonne sample taken fromdrillholes locations MDC047, MDC056 and MDC064 ) collected from the K-dump at the ManonoReclamation Project located in the Tanganyika province of theDemocratic Republic of the Congo (“DRC”). Mineralogical analysisindicated that nearly all the lithium is contained in Spodumene. Itwas further determined that Cassiterite is the only tin bearingmineral and in the case of tantalum the overwhelming majority occursas Tantalite with low concentrations of Tapiolite.
The HLS tests have resulted in 6+% Li2O spodumeneconcentrates at high lithium recoveries exceeding 60% and an ironcontent of approximately 1.3% Fe2O3 without conducting any magneticseparation on the concentrate produced. Although HLS results are onlyan indication of a DMS circuit’s performance in operation, theresults indicate that DMS will be applicable to the Project’sflowsheet as a primary driver for lithium recovery in the coarsefraction. Additional conventional technologies will be tested toestablish the optimal beneficiation of the -0.5mm fraction.
A summary of HLS test work results for the K-dump canbe seen in the table below. It is important to note that the currenttest campaign only focused on primary upgrades of tin and tantalum.
Mineral | Item | Unit | K-Dump |
Li2O | Head Grade | % | 1.05 |
Recovery | % | 63 | |
Concentrate Grade | % | 6.5 | |
Sn | Head Grade | ppm | 480 |
Recovery | % | 24 | |
Concentrate Grade | % | 26 |
A primary reason for the strong HLS results is thecoarse-grained nature of the spodumene at K-dump which allows forstrong liberation of the spodumene with no crushing required as thein-situ material is 99% -5 mm. What this means for the company is thatthe coarse fraction spodumene can be processed using the mostconventional mineral processing technique in the industry without anyadditional crushing/grinding required. The cut density can also belowered from 2.95 t/m 3 that were utilised in the testwork toimprove recoveries while maintaining SC6 grade.
In the K dump, Li2O, Sn and Ta are evenly distributedacross the different size fractions from 45µm to >1.2mm as seen on Figure 1. A low amount ofLi2O, Sn and Ta reported to the ultra-fine (-45µm)
Figure 1: Li2O,Sn and Ta distribution in the -5mm material K-Dump
The HLS testwork indicates that there is potential toopt for a phased approach in constructing the plant by firstlybeneficiating the coarse fraction in a robust cost-effective way whileexpanding the process facility at a latter stage to recover the finevaluable material.
Hannes Miller , Company COO, comments: “The resultsfrom this initial testwork is encouraging given it is dump material.The asset has very little mining cost associated with it and producinga marketable product with a robust well-known process is stronglypreferred to a flotation only operation. Dense Media Separation (DMS)is a less complicated process to operate, more cost effective, and maybe commissioned over a significantly shorter timeframe. I look forwardto the results of the planned phase 2 metallurgicaltestwork”.
The metallurgical test program was completed by CoreMetMineral Processing in South Africa. The program included headcharacterisation and HLS test work to develop appropriatebeneficiation methods. The full report will be released in the nearfuture which includes the testwork results for C-dump andG-dump.
The phase II testwork will include a DMS, gravity,upstream classification, and flotation test run utilising theremaining bulk sample. The primary objective is to confirm the HLSresults as well as to refine the mineral processing flowsheet for theproject. The coarse fraction is expected to be processed through a DMScircuit with the DMS middlings and fines fraction (-0.5mm) processedthrough a gravity circuit to recover the tin and tantalum bearingminerals while the tailings will undergo flotation testwork toestablish the full potential that can be achieved on the K-dump.Further work will include magnetic separation and upstreamclassification to remove impurities in the spodumeneconcentrate.
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical content of this newsrelease has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Gary Pearse MSc, P. Eng,who is a “Qualified Person” as defined by National Instrument43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“ NI 43-101 ”).
About Tantalex Lithium ResourcesCorporation
Tantalex is an exploration and development stage miningcompany engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development anddistribution of lithium, tin, tantalum and other high-tech mineralproperties in Africa. The Corporation is listed on the Canadian StockExchange (symbol: TTX) Frankfurt Stock Exchange (symbol: DW8) andOTCQB Venture Market (symbol TTLXF).
Cautionary Note Regarding ForwardLooking Statements
The information in this news releaseincludes certain information and statements about management's view offuture events, expectations, plans and prospects that constituteforward looking statements. These statements are based uponassumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties.Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a varietyof factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements orperformance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicatedby these forward looking statements. Although Tantalex believes thatthe expectations reflected in forward looking statements arereasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of anyforward looking statements will prove to be correct. Except asrequired by law, Tantalex disclaims any intention and assumes noobligation to update or revise any forward looking statements toreflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, futureevents, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting suchforward looking statements or otherwise.
The Canadian Securities Exchange(CSE) has not reviewed this news release and does not acceptresponsibility for its adequacy or accuracy.
For more information, please contact:
Eric Allard
President & CEO
Email: ea@tantalex.ca
Website: https://tantalexlithium.com/
Tel: 1-581-996-3007
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