Aruma Resources Ltd (ASX:AAJ) has announced promising sighter metallurgical testwork on pegmatites intersected at its Mt Deans Lithium Project near Norseman, in the lithium corridor of southeastern WA.
Two flotation tests conducted on pegmatites from a recent reverse circulation (RC) drilling program have confirmed that a lithium concentrate can be produced, with a concentrate grade of 3.1 times lithium oxide (Li2O).
The testing returned recoveries of 80% into 25% of the mass.
The aim of the sighter testwork was to establish what kind of products may be produced from the Mt Deans pegmatites to give an idea of the project's potential.
Sample undergoing flotation test.
Other metals too
The tests also captured other metals such as potassium, rubidium, cesium, tin and tantalum, highlighting Mt Deans’ potential for additional valuable product streams.
But importantly, the positive results have been delivered from tests on pulverised RC drill chips, which are not the best samples for a flotation test.
Instead, samples from a crushed rock feed are expected to deliver higher-grade concentrate and higher recoveries.
Increased confidence
Aruma managing director Glenn Grayson said: “These sighter test-work results give us a great deal of confidence in the potential value we see at Mt Deans.
“To deliver a first pass concentrate of 2.64% Li2O with another 0.6% Li2O in the slimes, provides confidence that flotation works and that Mt Deans could deliver a typical lepidolite concentrate of around 4% Li2O.
“The upgrade in the grade of all metals from this very early-stage testing shows us that further work to establish what may be achieved with the Mt Deans pegmatite is the key to realising the project’s full potential.
“Mt Deans was historically a tin mine in the 1940s, and a tantalum project 15 years ago. This, in conjunction with the potential lithium value, plus rubidium and cesium, make Mt Deans a high-potential project for Aruma.”
Next steps
A third flotation test using a pegmatite sample that has not been RC drilled is now underway.
This will be followed by a gravity separation test.
An outcrop sample for a third flotation testing.
About the company
Aruma is focused on the exploration and development of a portfolio of prospective gold and lithium projects in major, active mineralised belts in Western Australia.
Its core assets include the Mt Deans project, the Salmon Gums Gold Project in the Eastern Goldfields and the multi-commodity Saltwater Project in the Pilbara region.