Apr 24 2015
Pure Energy Minerals Limited (the "Company" or "Pure Energy") is pleased to announce that it is now in receipt of the final report and results of the lithium extraction processing work conducted by Tenova Bateman Technologies ("TBT").
The Company is pleased to report that the test work demonstrates that the Bateman LiP™ (pre-treatment stage) and LiSX™ (main Li-removal) processes for extraction of Lithium from brine (schematically displayed in Figure 1) was successfully applied to the raw brine collected from the Company's Clayton Valley, Nevada Lithium Project. To date, lithium has been removed from brines around the world using capital-intensive, slow and inefficient evaporation techniques, and this successful application of cutting edge TBT technology is a game-changer in unlocking the value of the Company's Clayton Valley Lithium Project.
As previously reported (http://www.pureenergyminerals.com/pure-energy-provides-update-on-lithium-process-testing/) the tests were performed at the Bateman R&D facility in Katzrin, Israel.
The final report results of the test program were:
The LiP™ process successfully removed most of the alkali earth elements from the raw brine solution, (practically all the Mg and Sr and 93% of Ca) as this stream would be further polished in an industrial application this result indicates excellent performance. The LiSX™ process target purity of Lithium Chloride Solution (LiCl) 99.5% was achieved and exceeded producing a LiCl solution with a purity greater than 99.9%. Lithium concentration in the raffinate (waste stream) was below the detection limit indicating practically 100% Li recovery.
"The process tests results have greatly exceeded our expectations," stated Pure Energy CEO Robert Mintak, "The results from the LiP™ and LiSX™ test are a major step toward executing Pure Energy's strategy of applying modern process technology in an innovative manner, potentially making our Clayton Valley, Nevada Lithium project more efficient, eliminating the negative environmental impact and foot print associated with existing lithium processing and of greater importance, significantly reducing the time to and cost of production."
Irad Rekem, General Manager, Lithium Business Unit, Tenova Bateman Technologies, commented, "We are very pleased with the test work results which once again confirm the advantages of Tenova Bateman Technologies' game-changing lithium recovery process consisting of LiP™ and LiSX™."
These positive results from this report will be used to advance an extensive lithium process technology review program currently underway and to share these results with interested stakeholders/end users and set the stage for the next steps in project development.
About Tenova Bateman Technologies:
Tenova Bateman Technologies is part of the Tenova Mining & Minerals Division of Tenova and offers advanced solvent extraction 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 LiSX™ and LiP™
The LiSX™ process is the latest addition to the family of advanced solvent extraction technologies and processes offered by Tenova Bateman Technologies. The LiSX™ process is a unique process which extracts lithium in the most efficient way at low capital and low operating costs.
The LiSX™ process is viable for all feed stream originating from any source (salar, hard rock, recycle and waste streams) and can produce different lithium end-products such as carbonate, chloride, and hydroxide, at high purity, battery grade and above.
The LiP™ is a unique membrane process for the removal of alkali earth elements from brines. This technology replaces the traditional chemical precipitation methods and dramatically reduces the Operation costs.
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 Esmeralda County, Nevada.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
"Robert Mintak"
Chief Executive Officer