Azure Minerals Ltd (ASX:AZS, OTC:AZRMF) has celebrated the results of maiden metallurgical test work completed on its Andover Lithium Project mineralisation, which produced a spodumene concentrate of 5.59% lithium at a recovery rate of 82.37%.
The company described these results as “outstanding” and “very positive”, having leveraged a whole-of-ore flotation process to produce the spodumene concentrate, after finding flotation processing to be the most effective method.
Well-established methodology
“The commencement of the metallurgical test work program is a significant step forward in Azure’s understanding of the mineralisation being defined at the Andover Lithium Project,” Azure Minerals managing director Tony Rovira said.
“The marketable concentrate grade of 5.59% Li2O produced at a recovery of 82.37% is an excellent result at such an early stage and it is expected that both the grade and recovery will be further improved as part of the next stage of test work.
“The metallurgical test work completed to date indicates that processing of ore from the project will be undertaken via industry-standard whole-of-ore flotation to produce a spodumene concentrate.
“This is a well-established methodology for the treatment of spodumene ores and is the processing methodology currently being deployed at tier one projects, both here in Western Australia and overseas.”
The company intends to undertake further optimisation studies on current samples from Andover, with additional test work from more widespread sampling to begin shortly.
Further metallurgical work
Azure’s focus will remain on further metallurgical test work moving forward, which will include:
- assessment of the flotation response to variability of the orebody across the various domains that are identified as part of the Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) process;
- grind size establishment and assessment;
- refinement of the reagent regime for the proposed flow sheet;
- ore sorting testwork to identify whether the ore and waste characteristics are amenable to ore sorting;
- geometallurgical modelling in conjunction with the MRE to assist with process design and engineering;
- comminution testwork;
- magnetic separation, pre-float removal of sulphide minerals, and up-current classification to remove mica minerals to reduce iron content; and
- development of Process Design Criteria to allow commencement of process engineering.