ALIX RESOURCES CORP. (“Alix” or the “Company”) (AIX-TSX:V) (37N–FRANKFURT) wish to provide the following news release issued by its JV partner Lithium Australia ML (LIT-ASX) with regards to the ongoing program at the Agua Fria Lithium Project located in Sonora, Mexico.
HIGHLIGHTS
Mineralogy suggests there is potential to significantly beneficiate Agua Fria mineralization.
Most lithium liberated rapidly at ambient temperature.
No expensive reagents required.
No roasting required.
Montmorillonite is thought to be the main lithium bearing mineral.
BACKGROUND
Drilling is progressing at Agua Fria, where Lithium Australia (ASX:LIT) and Alix Resources Corporation (TSX:V AIX) operate a 49/51% joint venture (Figure 1).
Figure 1 Shows the location of the Electra Project (which includes Agua Fria) Sonora, Mexico.
LIT AIX JV area
The Agua Fria prospect is part of the Electra Project (Figure 1) which is focused on volcanogenic sediments hosting widespread lithium mineralization. The sediments occur within the same geological sequence as Bacanora Minerals’ La Ventana deposit which is currently being evaluated for production.
La Ventana is the largest documented lithium “clay” deposit. Agua Fria has a similar geological footprint and lies to the south of La Ventana deposit. Early indications are very promising with significant drill intervals having average values exceeding 1000ppm lithium.
PRELIMINARY METALLURGICAL RESULTS
Metallurgical test work is being undertaken by Kappes Cassiday and Associates in Reno, Nevada (USA). Mineralogical characterization (using sample from surface trenching) has been evaluated with quantitative X-ray diffraction and yielded the results shown in Table 1.
Mineral
Ideal Formula
Composite 1
Quartz
SiO2
2
K-feldspar
KAlSi3O8
18
Plagioclase
NaAlSi3O8 – CaAlSi2O8
13
Analcime
NaAlSi2O6·H2O
12
Ankerite – Dolomite
Ca(Fe2+,Mg,Mn)(CO3)2 – CaMg(CO3)2
23
Calcite
CaCO3
1
Anatase
TiO2
1
Montmorillonite, model
(Na,Ca)0.3(Al,Mg)2Si4O10(OH)2·nH2O
30
Total
100
Table 1 Quantitative XRD of trench composite samples, Agua Fria.
INTERPRETED MINERALOGY
Quantitative XRD analyses were performed on a composite sample assembled from trench samples at Agua Fria. The XRD suggests the main lithium bearing phase is montmorillonite, a lithium clay mineral similar to hectorite. The other minerals forming the clay sample are dolomite, quartz, plagioclase feldspar and analcime.
ACID EXTRACTION OF LITHIUM AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
Preliminary sulphuric acid shaker tests were carried out at room temperature for a period of four hour on the samples containing up to 950 ppm Li. Lithium extraction attaining 85% were observed. These are excellent results given the fact these sighter tests were performed at low temperature and with a relatively short residence time. The tests indicate no thermal pre-treatment of the material is required. A moderate increase in temperature and residence time is expected to improve kinetics and drive the lithium extraction greater than 90 %.
BENEFICIATION POTENTIAL
Montmorillonite is thought to be the main lithium-bearing mineral. It accounts for only 30% of the sample mass. Efficient separation of the montmorillonite from gangue minerals has the potential to produce a concentrate with significantly higher lithium grades than the bulk material subject of the characterization work.
Separating montmorillonite from the acid-consuming dolomite and calcite by the application of de-sliming or flotation will significantly reduce the quantity of acid used.
Lithium Australia Managing director Adrian Griffin stated:
“These results are a great start to our metallurgical evaluation program and clearly show the potential to produce a valuable concentrate from the host volcanogenic sediments. The acid solubility of the lithium is of greater importance. The ability to leach the lithium in very short periods of time, at ambient temperature, and without the requirement of pre-treatment may have profound effects on the economics of Agua Fria, the next major lithium clay deposit.”
The technical contents of this release were approved by Michel Boily, PhD, P.Geo a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. The property has not been the subject of a National Instrument 43-101 report.
About Alix Resources
Alix Resources is a junior mining exploration company focused on seeking and acquiring world class lithium projects globally. Alix continues to evaluate suitable prospects that fit the mandate of the Company.
