Jindalee Resources Ltd (ASX:JRL) has received positive initial head assay results from metallurgical samples collected at the 100%-owned McDermitt Lithium Project in Oregon, USA, which averaged 0.179% or 1,790 parts per million (ppm) lithium.
These results represent a 34% increase in grade from the current indicated and inferred resource grade of 0.134% at McDermitt, suggesting high potential for shallow, higher-grade ore early in the mine life, with positive implications for project economics.
Beneficiation work underway
The company will now move to beneficiate the ore further, with the goal of increasing the head grade before acid leach test work begins.
Jindalee and its engineering partners will review and incorporate results from Particle Size Distribution test work on the samples.
JRL will employ attrition scrubbing to beneficiate the ore and separate the lithium-rich finer-grained fractions before beginning acid leaching.
Engineering, procurement, construction and maintenance (EPCM) company Fluor (NYSE:FLR)Corporation reviewed metallurgical test work undertaken at McDermitt and determined that acid leaching with ore beneficiation (to upgrade the leach head grade) delivered the lowest operating costs and best financial outcome among the alternatives considered.
Jindalee will report the results from its metallurgical work once they become available.