Arcadia Minerals Ltd. announced positive lithium bench scale leach test results from its Bitterwasser lithium clay project. A sample of 800kg of Bitterwasser clays collected from auger drilling samples and which are
representative of the Eden Pan deposit, underwent cyclone test work at Multotec. The fines were subjected to bench scale leach test work at the Chemical Engineering Department, Stellenbosch University for the purposes of determining leachability using six organic acids and sulphuric acid. Based on these initial results, two organic acids and sulphuric acids were subsequently selected for bench scale test work. Sulphuric acid test work at several parameters and at intervals of 2 hours up to 6 hours leach time were conducted. The results indicated that leach temperatures appeared to influence the leachability of the Bitterwasser clays from Eden Pan more than the leach resident time. At bench scale, one of the organic acids became viscous and was rejected for the purposes of conducting further experiments, while the second organic acid (Organic Acid 1) proved to be
amenable to further bench scale test work. Results of the test work with Sulphuric Acid returned Lithium recoveries of up to 93%, and Organic Acid 1 demonstrated 82% leachability of Lithium into solution and a low recovery of
Calcium and Magnesium in leachate. Comparing the leach results from the Bitterwasser Clay deposit to bench scale results by Century Lithium (previously known as Cypress Development)4 over its Clayton Valley deposit,
it is evident that similar leach results are attained in so far as it relates to most elements in the leachate. From the results attained, the following preliminary benefits of Organic Acid 1 compared to sulphuric acid over samples from Bitterwasser Clays are apparent: Lower Magnesium and Calcium content in the leachate, and The utilisation of an environmentally friendly and cheaper solution in comparison to sulphuric acid The potential for the recovery and recycling of Organic Acid 1 is to be confirmed with upcoming test work, which could potentially reduce the operational costs of any potential processing operation if found to be successful. In addition, the commercial availability of Organic Acid 1 will also be investigated to conduct a costing trade-off with sulphuric acid. Consequently, a trade-off study between the two acids is currently being conducted. The focus of this study aims to compare the economic and environmental benefits of Organic Acid 1 vs Sulphuric Acid. Leach test work optimisation on both acids is ongoing. Results of these investigations will be made available during Second Quarter 2023.