Lake Resources NL: Lilac Resumes Operations on Kachi Brines
Brisbane, Australia - Lithium explorer and developer Lake Resources NL (ASX:LKE) (FRA:LK1) (OTCMKTS:LLKKF) announced today that its technology partner, Lilac Solutions, is resuming operations this week with its direct extraction pilot plant module for the Kachi project following the loosening of "shelter in place" restrictions and the removal of curfews.- Lake's technology partner, Lilac Solutions, returns to operations this week after the loosening of COVID-19 restrictions and removal of curfews.
- First priority is to produce samples for interested parties with processing underway of Lake's Kachi brines through the pilot plant modules at Lilac's new upgraded facility.
- Regular updates on processing activity will be provided.
- Operations are underway as interest increases in more sustainable and consistent high purity lithium products, a benefit of Lilac's technology, amid multi-billion dollar electric vehicle (EV) investments in Europe and Asia.
Processing is underway of the 20,000 litres of brine received from Lake's Kachi Lithium Brine Project through the pilot plant modules at the new upgraded facility and warehouse, together with the completion of commissioning. Other key service providers to Lilac operations have also re-opened.
The full resumption of operations comes amid increasing interest in sustainable and consistent high purity lithium products, a benefit of Lilac's technology, and with growing pricing improvements for high purity lithium products given a lack of battery-grade supply for EV makers.
Lake's recent Kachi Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) (refer ASX announcement 30 April 2020) and published research have demonstrated the cost competitive, sustainable and scalable nature of the Lilac direct extraction process which is being employed at the Kachi Lithium Brine Project. The process is able to deliver a high purity product which attracts premium pricing.
European nations including France, Germany, the Netherlands and United Kingdom have recently announced multi-billion dollar subsidies and investments to support the EV industry as part of post-pandemic recovery plans, adding to recent boosts in China and South Korea.
Lake's Managing Director, Steve Promnitz said: "Lilac's processing of the Kachi brines to produce a high purity lithium carbonate is a critical body of work that will deliver huge upside value for Lake. We have every confidence in the Lilac technology and the proven direct extraction process that will be implemented at the Kachi project. Recent delays at Lilac have been completely understandable given the global impacts of COVID-19, but we look forward to reporting the first sizeable high purity lithium carbonate samples soon."
About Lake Resources NL:
Lake Resources NL (ASX:LKE) is a lithium exploration and development company focused on developing its three lithium brine projects and hard rock project in Argentina, all owned 100%. The leases are in a prime location among the lithium sector's largest players within the Lithium Triangle, where half of the world's lithium is produced. Lake holds one of the largest lithium tenement packages in Argentina (~200,000Ha) secured in 2016 prior to a significant 'rush' by major companies. The large holdings provide the potential to provide consistent security of supply demanded by battery makers and electric vehicle manufacturers.
The Kachi project covers 69,000 ha over a salt lake south of FMC's lithium operation and near Albemarle's Antofalla project in Catamarca Province. Drilling at Kachi has confirmed a large lithium brine bearing basin over 20km long, 15km wide and 400m to 800m deep. Drilling over Kachi (currently 16 drill holes, 3100m) has produced a maiden indicated and inferred resource of 4.4 Mt LCE (Indicated 1.0Mt and Inferred 3.4Mt) within a 8-17 Mt LCE exploration target (refer ASX announcement 27 November 2018).
A direct extraction technique is being tested in partnership with Lilac Solutions, which has shown 80-90% recoveries and lithium brine concentrations in excess of 3000 mg/L lithium and is planned to be trialled on site in tandem with conventional methods as part of a PFS to follow the resource statement. Scope exists to unlock considerable value through partnerships and corporate deals in the near term.
Source:
Lake Resources NL
Contact:
Steve Promnitz Managing Director Lake Resources NL T: +61-2-9188-7864 E: steve@lakeresources.com.au
