VANCOUVER, B.C., April 8,
2024 /CNW/ -- Lithium South Development
Corporation (the "Company" or "Lithium South") (TSX-V:
LIS) (OTCQB: LISMF) (Frankfurt: OGPQ) is pleased to announce the
successful completion of a series of advanced test work aimed at
exploring alternative lithium production methods, to potentially
enhance the value of its Hombre Muerto Norte project ("HMN Li
Project") in Argentina.
Approximately 20,000 liters of representative brine samples from
the Tramo well underwent evaporation and liming testwork at the
Hombre Muerto North site. Further detailed laboratory-scale test
work was conducted at Eon Minerals LLC's ("Eon") Laboratory in
Salta, Argentina. Chemical
analyses were completed by Eon and verified by SGS Argentina
S.A., SGS Canada Inc., and Alex Stewart Laboratories, all I.S.O.
Certified Laboratories. All test work was conducted under the
supervision of Alex Mezei, P. Eng.
and a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument
43-101.
The company explored two innovative process options, combining
on-site evaporation with laboratory-scale tests using the Tramo
claim brine. The first option yielded a super-concentrated Lithium
Chloride (LiCl) brine containing 6% lithium content by mass,
demonstrating a cumulative lithium recovery of 67% after
pre-concentration and concentration evaporation stages.
In the second option, Lithium South successfully produced a bulk
lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) product, showing
potential for purification to battery grade quality. This route,
integrating boron solvent extraction, achieved an overall lithium
extraction efficiency of 60%. Subsequent purification tests
conducted by SGS Canada Inc. indicated that the bulk lithium
carbonate product achieved purity levels ranging from 99.4% to
99.5%, approaching the desired battery grade specification. The
lithium carbonate purity reported herein is defined based on the
difference versus both the 'Sum of impurities' and 'Loss of
ignition at 550°C'.
While the primary plan remains to produce
Li2CO3 technical grade with a 70% efficiency,
using the industry proven evaporation technique, these test results
demonstrate Lithium South's capability to adapt and potentially
shift towards higher value products. The company is excited about
the flexibility these alternatives offer, which could significantly
enhance the project's value without altering the current production
strategy.
"Exploring these innovative production methods allows us to
future-proof our project and potentially tap into more lucrative
markets," said Adrian F. C. Hobkirk,
Founder and CEO of Lithium South. "We are thrilled by these test
results, which affirm our capability to produce high-purity lithium
compounds efficiently. While we remain focused on our primary
production target, these successful tests provide us with valuable
flexibility and a potential edge in the market."
Lithium South Development remains committed to advancing its HMN
Li Project, leveraging both traditional and innovative methods to
ensure sustainable, efficient, and high-quality lithium
production.
About Lithium South
Lithium South owns 100% of the HMN Lithium Project located in
Salta and Catamarca Provinces, Argentina, in the heart of the lithium
triangle. The Salar del Hombre Muerto has a history of lithium
production, with Arcadium Lithium (as a result of the Alkem and
Livent merger) in operation for over twenty-five years, in an area
just south of the HMN Lithium Project. The HMN Lithium Project is
surrounded by a US$4 billion lithium
development under construction by POSCO (Korea) and the Sal de Vida
Project under development by Arcadium. Exploration work to date has
delineated a National Instrument 43-101 compliant 1,583,200 tonne
Lithium Carbonate Equivalent ("LCE") Resource (Note 1) on the Alba
Sabrina, Natalia Maria, and Tramo
claim blocks , three of five non-contiguous blocks that make up the
HMN Lithium Project. A recent Preliminary Economic Assessment
announced on March 04, 2024 and with
report to follow, delineates the exciting potential of the 15,600
tonne per year lithium carbonate project. With pumping well
installation underway, Lithium South is transitioning from being a
lithium explorer to becoming a lithium developer.
This news release was reviewed and approved by Mr.
Alex Mezei, P.Eng., a Qualified
Person, for the purposes of NI 43-101, and technical consultant to
the Company. Mr. Mezei, participated in the production of this news
release and approved of the scientific disclosure contained
herein.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
Adrian F. C. Hobkirk
President and Chief Executive Officer
Investors / Shareholders call 855-415-8100 / website:
www.lithiumsouth.com
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture
Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of
this release. The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed the content
of this news release and therefore does not accept responsibility
or liability for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this
news release
Note 1: A report titled Updated Mineral Resource Estimate –
Hombre Muerto North Project, NI 43-101 Technical Report Catamarca
and Salta, Argentina,
Mark King, PhD, PGeo, Peter Ehren, M.Sc, MAusIMM, September 5th, 2023.
This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities
and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Except for statements of
historical fact relating to the Company, certain information
contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are based upon opinions and estimates of
management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a
variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors which could
cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in
the forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to
place undue reliance on forward- looking statements. We seek safe
harbor.
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SOURCE Lithium South Development Corporation