- successfully improved its lithium-in-clay extraction technology, as well as an important breakthrough regarding the processing of hard rock material
Montreal / January 16, 2019 – St-Georges Eco-Mining Corp. (CSE: SX) (OTC: SXOOF) (FSE: 85G1) is pleased to report that it successfully improved its lithium-in-clay extraction technology, as well as an important breakthrough regarding the processing of hard rock material.
The Company previously reported back in December (See Press Release Dated December 20, 2018) that it had achieved the removal, by mechanical means, of 55% of the material processed from the Bonnie Claire lithium deposit fully owned by its partner Iconic Minerals ltd (TSX-V: ICM). At that point, 90% of the lithium contained in the initial material was later found in solution to be processed for recovery.
Additional tests have now improved the outlook on the recovery grade. Stage 2 selective leach processing has eliminated 70% of the material contained in the pregnant portion of the initial material. The company is now pleased to report that it found 100% of the initial lithium in solution post-leaching. The subsequent solution now represent between 12 to 15% of the initial material.
These simple steps eliminate the need for expensive processing of 85 to 87% of the initial material while retaining 100% of the lithium contained in the material from the deposit. This increase the lithium grade of the material to be further processed by 6 to 8 times.
From the 100% initial material, 55% is discarded mechanically, low cost lixiviation sets aside between 68 to 73% of the remaining material leaving approximately only 12 to 15% to be processed further.
The company is currently working on improving the leaching selectivity within its phase 2 development efforts. Phase 3 testing will focus on purifying the lithium to reach lithium hydroxide commercial quality.
Extraction of lithium from hard rocks.
The company has successfully tested its leaching approach with spodumene and other clay formations of lithium without pressure, calcining and high temperatures. This development can be applied to any hard feed which includes tailings, clay and hard rocks. St-Georges metallurgists are planning to initiate tests in the coming days with lepidolite lithium material available from St-Georges’ LeRoyal Project.
Joel Scodnick, P.Geo, a qualified person under NI 43-101 has reviewed and approved the technical content of this release.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
“Frank Dumas”
FRANCOIS (FRANK) DUMAS, DIRECTOR & COO
About St-Georges
St-Georges is developing new technologies to solve the some of the most common environmental problems in the mining industry.
The Company controls directly or indirectly, through rights of first refusal, all of the active mineral tenures in Iceland. It also explores for nickel on the Julie Nickel Project & for industrial minerals on Quebec’s North Shore and for lithium and rare metals in Northern Quebec and in the Abitibi region. Headquartered in Montreal, St-Georges’ stock is listed on the CSE under the symbol SX, on the US OTC under the Symbol SXOOF and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol 85G1.
The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of the contents of this release.