Leia pegmatite pulls up recoveries of 84% lithium for Wildcat in WA

Wildcat Resources Ltd (ASX:WC8) has reported the potential for lithium oxide (Li2O) grading up to 84% to be recovered through metallurgical testing of ore from its Leia pegmatite – part of the wider Tabba Tabba lithium project in Western Australia.

Flotation testwork on ore from Leia showed recoveries ranging from around 79-84% at head grades of 1.0-1.4% Li2O to produce a 5.5% Li2O concentrate; while there was also the option of 72-84% at head grades of 1.0-1.4% Li2O to produce a 6.0% Li2O concentrate.

The ore was also shown to be low in iron content with no significant deleterious elements, and these recoveries were made using a coarse grind size of 212µm, with this to be modified for future work.

Wildcat is also working towards completion of a pre-feasibility study through activities including expanded metallurgical testing, engineering designs, hydrology and environmental studies, and additional studies during the PFS will aim to optimise and improve recovery.

Managing Director AJ Saverimutto said the company was happy with the indications from initial test work on Leia ore.

“The initial results provide a simple process option, proving that high-grade saleable concentrates can be generated with outstanding spodumene recoveries,” he said.

“We are confident that further metallurgical optimisations leading towards our Pre-Feasibility Study will continue to improve the robustness of Tabba Tabba’s geometallurgical model and favourable project economics.

“We would like to thank BHM Process Consultants and Nagrom for their outstanding work.”

Wildcat has been trading at 27 cents.