Emerging lithium producer Core Exploration (ASX: CXO) has announced a strongly positive update on metallurgical results achieved since the release of the Grants Pre-Feasibility Study, which are expected to further enhance the robust economics of the project. Recent metallurgical testwork shows a strong improvement in the assumptions utilised in the PFS, with up to 79% lithium recovery at a grade of 5.5% Li2O. Further test work demonstrated a DMS circuit can easily produce a 6.1% Li2O concentrate at good recoveries of 69%.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Improving Recoveries of High Grade Lithium Concentrate in new metallurgical results are expected to be strongly positive for the upcoming Feasibility Study;
- Recent metallurgical testwork shows a strong improvement in the assumptions utilised in the PFS, with up to 79% lithium recovery at a grade of 5.5% Li2O;
- Overall mass yield of up to 27% of head feed;
- Gravity only plant to be designed to deliver optimal yield;
- Further test work demonstrates a DMS circuit can easily produce a 6.1% Li2O concentrate at good recoveries of 69%;
- Testwork continuing to optimise recoveries and design in Feasibility Study.
Emerging Northern Territory lithium developer, Core Exploration Ltd (ASX: CXO) (“Core” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce a strongly positive update on metallurgical results achieved since the release of the Pre-Feasibly Study (PFS), which are expected to further enhance the robust economics demonstrated by the PFS.
Recent metallurgical test work on core from the Grants deposit has delivered outstanding results and supports the business case for saleable concentrate from a simple DMS plant designed to use a gravity only circuit.
High grade 5.5% lithium concentrate was produced at an elevated recovery of 79% in new metallurgical testwork for the design of a simple gravity separation plant using industry standard Dense Media Separation (DMS).

6.1% Li2O concentrate was also produced at good commercial recoveries of 69% using DMS at the same sizing in the recent testwork. Ongoing testwork will be further refined over coming months with the aim of optimisation of the production of higher concentrate grades to be considered in the Feasibility Study later this year.
Commenting on the successes of the metallurgical testwork, Core’s Managing Director Stephen Biggins said “Core’s metallurgical test work completed to date shows that Core can produce high quality, spodumene concentrates with good recoveries through a simple, low capital cost DMS processing circuit, therefore avoiding the much higher capex requirements of a large flotation circuit.
The high-grade lithium concentrate produced by Core is showing to be of excellent quality with low iron and low in other impurities being premium characteristics for customers.
These new improved grades and recoveries in the recent testwork are likely to have a significantly positive affect on economics of the project and will be considered by Feasibility Study numbers that is underway and scheduled for completion later in the year.”