Can Venari’s New Processing Steps Secure Red Mountain’s Lithium Future?

Metallurgical Breakthrough at Red Mountain

Venari Minerals NL (ASX, VMS) has unveiled promising metallurgical test results from its Red Mountain Lithium Project in Nevada, USA, marking a notable step forward in the project’s development. The latest test-work introduced a pre-soaking step prior to attrition scrubbing, a mineral processing technique that helps separate lithium-bearing clays from waste minerals. This innovation boosted the lithium grade by 46.2%, lifting it from 2,600ppm to 3,800ppm in the finest particle fraction.

Alongside this grade uplift, lithium recovery improved to 68.9%, indicating a more efficient extraction of lithium from the ore. The process also achieved a 14.9% reduction in calcite content, a common acid-consuming impurity that can increase processing costs. These enhancements suggest a more economically viable pathway for lithium extraction from sedimentary clays, a deposit type gaining attention for its potential to supplement global lithium supply.

Expertise Engaged to Advance Processing

To capitalise on these encouraging results, Venari has engaged Brisbane-based engineering consultancy Pitch Black Group. Renowned for their global expertise in lithium processing, particularly with sedimentary lithium deposits, Pitch Black will independently review the metallurgical data and help design a scoping-level processing flow-sheet. This collaboration aims to optimise beneficiation and explore alternative leaching technologies that do not rely on sulphuric acid, potentially reducing environmental impact and operational risks.

Venari’s Chairman, Tony Leibowitz, emphasised the strategic value of this approach, highlighting the company’s systematic efforts to unlock value from its assets. With the maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) scheduled for release in early February 2026, these developments set a solid foundation for advancing the project towards feasibility and eventual production.

Context within Nevada’s Lithium Landscape

The Red Mountain Project sits within a prolific lithium region characterised by tertiary lacustrine sediments known as the Horse Camp Formation. Comparable deposits nearby include Lithium Americas’ Thacker Pass Project and American Battery Technology Corporation’s Tonopah Flats deposit, both significant lithium resources. Red Mountain’s proximity to key infrastructure, such as a major highway, high-voltage transmission lines, and secured water rights, further enhances its development prospects.

Venari has completed 32 drill holes totalling over 6,000 metres, consistently intersecting lithium mineralisation. Previous test-work demonstrated high lithium leachability of up to 98%, reinforcing the deposit’s amenability to conventional processing methods. The current beneficiation improvements build on this foundation, aiming to increase lithium head grades and reduce reagent consumption ahead of leaching.

Looking Ahead

Venari is continuing its lithium carbonate test-work, expected to conclude by the end of February 2026, which will provide further clarity on the project’s downstream processing potential. The company’s methodical approach, combining technical innovation, expert consultancy, and rigorous resource definition, positions Red Mountain as a compelling emerging lithium asset in a competitive market.