- Lake Resources (LKE), together with partner Lilac Solutions, achieves high grades and purity from testwork on lithium carbonate from the Kachi project in Argentina
- Saltworks completed the testwork, which was assessed by two independent third-party labs and confirmed grades and purity of more than 99.8 per cent
- LKE says the testing validates the major commercial process systems for the project and confirms the ability to produce “high-quality, battery-grade” lithium carbonate
- Drilling work is continuing at Kachi, with an updated resource estimate expected in the second quarter of this year
- LKE shares are up 10 per cent and trading at 49 cents at 1:17 pm AEST
Lake Resources (LKE), together with partner Lilac Solutions, has achieved high grades and purity from testwork on lithium carbonate from the Kachi project in Argentina.
Before the end of December, Lilac produced 40,000 litres of lithium chloride eluate over 1000 hours while it operated a demonstration plant at the project.
This product was tested by Saltworks and then analysed independently by two third-party labs, confirming grades and purity greater than 99.8 per cent.
Lake said the testing validated the major commercial process systems for the project and confirmed the ability to produce “high-quality, battery-grade” lithium carbonate from its brine resource using Lilac’s technology.
Moreover, the quality achieved exceeded the project design specification and the battery-grade specifications of major South American brine lithium producers.
“This is a new process that has now been proven to produce high-grade lithium in our ‘mining and refining’ facility,” Lake CEO David Dickson said.
“This means a critical part of the value-adding chain is being captured by Lake.
“It also sets a new standard for what it means to be a responsible member of the lithium supply chain.”
Lilac Solutions CEO Dave Snydacker said the results showed Lilac’s technology was faster, with higher recovery, and enabled a higher purity product.
“Alongside Lake Resources, we are proving that it is possible to produce lithium — the cornerstone of our clean energy future — without damaging the planet we’re trying to save,” Mr Snydacker said.
Earlier this year, Lake reported a 100 per cent increase in the mineral resource estimate of Kachi. Drilling is continuing, with an updated resource estimate expected in the second quarter of this year.
Lake is also planning to report an evaluation of project timelines and estimated capital costs in the second quarter, while a definitive feasibility study is pitted for completion by the middle of the year.
LKE shares were up 10 per cent and trading at 49 cents at 1:17 pm AEST.