Beneficiation Success at Red Mountain Reduces Waste, Enhances Commercial Prospects
Astute Metals reports a successful beneficiation test at its Red Mountain Lithium Project, achieving a 36% mass reduction and 22% lithium grade increase, while phase 2 diamond drilling advances with two holes completed.
- 36% mass reduction and 22% lithium grade increase via Falcon C Concentrator
- 77.8% lithium recovery achieved in beneficiation testwork
- Phase 2 diamond drilling underway with two holes completed of six planned
- Further beneficiation tests planned on higher-grade samples and Attrition Scrubbing
- Results support improved processing economics and commercial potential of Red Mountain
Beneficiation Success at Red Mountain
Astute Metals NL (ASX: ASE) has announced encouraging results from early-stage beneficiation testwork at its 100%-owned Red Mountain Lithium Project in Nevada, USA. The testwork, conducted by Sepro Laboratories using the Falcon Continuous (Falcon C) Concentrator, demonstrated a significant upgrade of lithium-bearing material by removing 36.3% of dense waste material and concurrently increasing the lithium grade by 22%, from 703ppm to 858ppm Li. This proof-of-concept achievement suggests that simple beneficiation techniques can effectively concentrate lithium-bearing clays, which are the primary host mineralisation at Red Mountain.
The beneficiation process also achieved a lithium recovery rate of 77.8%, while reducing calcium content by nearly 16%. This reduction in calcium, primarily present as calcite, is particularly promising as it may lower acid reagent consumption during downstream processing, potentially reducing operational costs and environmental impact.
Ongoing Drilling and Future Testwork
Alongside the metallurgical advances, Astute Metals is progressing its second phase of diamond drilling at Red Mountain, with two of the planned six holes completed. This drilling campaign aims to further delineate the lithium mineralisation and provide additional core samples for expanded beneficiation testwork. The company plans to test average and high-grade samples to validate and potentially improve upon the initial beneficiation results.
In addition to Falcon C Concentrator tests, Astute intends to explore Attrition Scrubbing as an alternative beneficiation method. These complementary approaches could enhance the efficiency of lithium extraction and support the project's commercial viability.
Strategic Importance and Market Context
Located in a region known for significant lithium deposits, including Lithium Americas’ Thacker Pass Project and American Lithium’s TLC Lithium Project, Red Mountain is emerging as a noteworthy contender in the North American critical minerals landscape. Astute Metals’ Chairman Tony Leibowitz highlighted the importance of upgrading low-grade mineralised material, noting that beneficiation success is a positive step towards reducing processing costs and environmental footprint.
With lithium demand surging globally due to the electric vehicle and battery storage sectors, projects like Red Mountain that demonstrate scalable beneficiation and efficient processing pathways are increasingly valuable. Astute’s ongoing drilling and metallurgical programs will be closely watched for further evidence of the project’s potential to contribute meaningfully to the lithium supply chain.
Technical and Operational Details
The initial beneficiation test used a 24.8kg composite sample from a 7.6m interval of diamond drill core from hole RMDD002. The Falcon C Concentrator test involved crushing, grinding, and a seven-stage rougher process at 300g force and 78.3Hz speed. The results confirm that gravitational separation can effectively concentrate lithium-bearing clays by removing coarser, non-lithium bearing gangue material.
Sepro Laboratories, with prior experience in similar Nevada lithium clay projects, recommended further testing on samples with higher clay content, which are expected to yield even better beneficiation performance. The company’s methodical approach to metallurgical testing and drilling underscores its commitment to advancing Red Mountain towards commercial development.
Bottom Line?
Astute Metals’ beneficiation breakthrough and advancing drilling program position Red Mountain as a lithium project to watch in the evolving North American market.
Questions in the middle?
- How will beneficiation perform on higher-grade and more clay-rich samples?
- What will phase 2 drilling reveal about the extent and continuity of lithium mineralisation?
- Can Attrition Scrubbing further improve lithium concentration and processing economics?