RE: RNS17 Jul 2018 14:22
Lithium Research and Development Joint Venture Update
· Wardell Armstrong International engaged to provide an independent high-level audit of the results of the initial test work
· Initial test work and high-level audit expected to be completed in approximately three months
Alexander is pleased to provide an update on the Lithium Ore Processing Joint Venture ("JV") with Dr. Nicholas Welham, Alexander's Principal Technological Consultant.
The JV covers the testing and development of a potential heap leaching process for hard rock lithium ores and will also investigate reducing the complexity and cost of the conversion process from mineral to battery grade lithium carbonate and/or hydroxide.
Alexander has engaged UK based Engineering, Environmental and Mining industry consultancy firm Wardell Armstrong International ("WAI") to provide an independent high-level technical audit of the results of the initial test work in Western Australia. It is anticipated that the test work and WAI audit should be completed in approximately three months. This audit will provide independent verification of the process, sufficient to ascertain whether or not more detailed work would be beneficial.
WAI was chosen to be retained by Alexander Mining to advise on the JV's potential novel lithium ore processing technology as a result of WAI's involvement in the on-going, highly successful Flexible And Mobile Economic Mineral Processing ("FAME" - http://www.fame-project.eu/ ) technologies project.
FAME has received significant funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme ("H2020") and has involved a significant amount of lithium related mineral and chemical processing work. There are currently 16 partners from seven countries involved in the FAME project consortium, focused on new solutions for the sustainable production of critical and strategically important raw materials.
The initial audit work will be undertaken by Dr Chris Broadbent, WAI's Research Director and Project Co-ordinator of FAME. He has considerable recent and ongoing experience of mineral processing options for hard rock lithium bearing minerals.