Mar 5 2015
Pure Energy Minerals Ltd. (the "Company") is delighted to provide a update on results of its lithium extraction technology testing at Tenova Bateman Technologies' ("TBT") research and development facility in Israel. As previously reported, Pure Energy supplied a bulk raw brine sample collected at the Company's Clayton Valley, Nevada Lithium Project for lithium extraction process testing.
The two primary objectives of the testing were;
1. to study the feasibility of utilizing TBT's LiP™ membrane-based process for pretreatment of brine to eliminate calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) from the supplied raw brine feed solution; and,
2. to evaluate the feasibility of recovering lithium as LiCl from the pretreated feed solution using the TBT LiSX™ solvent extraction process with a target purity of 99.5%
Preliminary Results
LiP™
The LiP™ process removed almost all of the alkali earth elements (about 93% of Ca and practically all of the Mg and Sr) from the raw feed solution. In addition to alkali earth elements, sulfate was eliminated from the stream while lithium concentrations were practically unchanged.
LiSX™
The target purity of 99.5% LiCl was achieved and exceeded. The preliminary results indicate the LiSX™ process succeeded in producing a LiCl solution with a purity greater than 99.9%. The Li concentration in the waste stream (raffinate) was below the detection limit -- indicating practically 100% Li recovery.
Robert Mintak, Pure Energy CEO commented "The draft report from Tenova Bateman is extremely encouraging, achieving virtually 100% Li recovery and exceeding our target purity of final product is a significant development. These preliminary results suggest that the combined Tenova Bateman LiP™ and LiSX™ process for extraction of Li can be applied successfully to a raw Clayton Valley brine provided from Pure Energy's Project Site"
A final report is anticipated to be completed this quarter and a complete evaluation of the LiP™ and LiSX™ performance is also planned, including assessing the potential to produce high purity battery-grade lithium hydroxide from the LiCl solution.
About Tenova Bateman Technologies:
Tenova Bateman Technologies is part of the Tenova Mining & Minerals Division of Tenova and offers advanced solvent extraction (SX) solutions and proprietary technologies for the mineral and metals industries, complimented by in-house state-of-the-art laboratory and pilot plant facilities. Tenova is a worldwide supplier of advanced technologies, products and engineering services for the metals and mining and minerals industries.
About Pure Energy:
Pure Energy is an integrated lithium mining and processing developer with a focus on green 'cradle to cradle' lifecycle solutions for lithium supply in North America. Pure Energy is currently focused on the advancement of our prospective Clayton Valley Lithium Brine Project, located in Esmerelda County, Nevada.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
"Robert Mintak"
Chief Executive Officer