Power Minerals reports Salta lithium brine test result ticks all boxes
Power Minerals is assessing potential commercial development pathways for its Salta lithium brine project in Argentina, including adopting direct lithium extraction technology to eliminate the need for evaporation ponds.
Testing of brine samples sent by Adelaide-based Power Minerals (ASX: PNN) to China’s Sunresin confirms that the output from the Salta project in Argentina is compatible with technology used at the Shaanxi province-based company’s plant.
This opens the way for development at Salta without the use of evaporation ponds.
Three 40 litre bulk samples — one each from the Incahuasi, Rincon and Pocitos salares — were sent for testing with Sunresin’s direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology.
These bulk sampling tests showed the individual brines are compatible with Sunresin’s DLE technology and plant.
Brine chemistry and quality from each salar (salt lake) were alos found suitable for processing through the plan, with a lithium concentrate successfully produced.
Potential to develop ‘significant’ lithium operation at Salta
Salta is located in the province of the same name, in Argentina and within the “lithium triangle”.
The project consists of five salares within seven mining leases totalling 147,07sq km.
Incahuasi is located adjacent to the ground held by Ganfeng Lithium, the world’s third largest and China’s largest lithium compounds producer.
Ganfeng is also and the world’s largest lithium metals generator in terms of production.
Power says the results received from China indicate the potential to develop a significant lithium producing operation at Salta.
Sunresin’s DLE technology extracts lithium from various brine grades and, says Power, delivers high recoveries, low costs and expedited processing times.
This technology avoids the use evaporation ponds.
Chinese company now planning site visit
Sunresin is now planning to send a team for a site visit at Salta.
Meanwhile, Power preparing to undertake a preliminary economic assessment, or scoping study, of the project.
The two companies are working under a four-phase memorandum of understanding, with the target being a binding agreement for a commercial scale lithium producing operation at Salta.
Power is still assessing production plans which could include using DLE at the project site and/or a potential hybrid strategy utilising hybrid strategy with the DLE process on blended brings from the different salares.
Sunresin is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and manufactures about 50,000 cubic metres per annum of ion exchange resins and adsorbers.