TIDMSAV
RNS Number : 5556P
Savannah Resources PLC
21 June 2022
21 June 2022
Savannah Resources Plc
(AIM: SAV, FWB: SAV and SWB: SAV)
('Savannah' or the 'Company')
Successful Completion of Locked Cycle Testing
Excellent Recoveries above Target Lithium Grades
Savannah Resources plc, the European lithium development
company, is pleased to announce that it has successfully achieved
another major project milestone for its 100% owned Barroso Lithium
Project (the 'Project'), with locked cycle testing ('LCT')
completed, utilising the recently finalised process flowsheet and
optimised grind size of 150 micron, delivering further excellent
recoveries. Locked cycle testing is an important process in
ensuring an accurate process flow sheet and verified inputs to the
upcoming Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS").
Highlights:
-- Three LCTs were completed to simulate the continuous
operation of a process plant and to refine the reagent consumption
of the process flowsheet
-- The LCT yielded a concentrate grade of 5.5% Li(2) O ('SC5.5')
and global recoveries in the range of 77%-81% at laboratory
scale
-- This supports the results previously reported in the ore
variability programme, which achieved Li(2) O recoveries in the
range of 70%-79.5% at laboratory scale with low levels of
impurities, and suggests that improved levels of recoveries are
achievable
-- Optimisation of the reagent dose rates between test 1 and
test 3 showed a 39% reduction in reagent use which should have
significant operating cost ('OPEX') benefits for the Project which
will be captured in future economic evaluations
-- These positive results will be utilised in resource and mine
optimisation, and as the basis for the upcoming DFS to support the
proposed development
-- Based on the encouraging results achieved to date, planning
for the pilot plant test work programme is underway
To view the full press release including any maps, figures or
tables, please use the following link:
http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/5556P_1-2022-6-20.pdf
David Archer, Savannah's Chief Executive Officer said: "Having
finalised our innovative, environmentally enhanced process
flowsheet for the Project in February, we are very pleased with the
results produced during this subsequent LCT phase. We believe that
this testing phase better replicates the conditions associated with
the continuous circuit found in a spodumene flotation plant, so to
produce a concentrate of 5.5% Li(2) O based on laboratory
recoveries at or around 80% is very encouraging. This is
particularly so when testing also shows there may be an opportunity
to additionally reduce associated reagent volumes and operating
costs.
"The large amount of data already collected, along with results
from the remaining, larger scale, metallurgical testing will be
used in the Definitive Feasibility Study to help us in our efforts
to optimise all aspects of the Project, including minimising its
use of raw materials and energy.
"We look forward to bringing further news on the large scale
bulk float tests and pilot plant test work programmes during the
second half of 2022."
Background
A locked cycle test is a repetitive batch test which recycles
the tails material between flotation stages to better simulate a
continuous circuit at lab scale. The test is used to verify that
the inclusion of recycled solids to the previous stage does not
negatively impact the flotation performance and allows an
investigation into how reagents may build up within the circuit and
the optimisation of reagent dose rates. The LCT programme was
supervised by MinSol Engineering Pty Ltd ('MinSol') between Q1 and
Q2 2022 and implemented the recommendations from the variability
programme that was completed in conjunction when possible.
The LCT programme was undertaken with the following
objectives:
-- Verify the impact of recycled material on the efficiency of the flotation stage
-- Provide confidence in the repeatability of the flotation performance
-- Further optimisation/reduction of reagent dose rates
-- Produce representative process water and by-products samples for future test programs
The LCT programme was undertaken on a single composite grading
1.23% Li(2) O that was representative of Grandao stage 1, which is
the dominant deposit in the first 10 years of the project life. The
programme allowed for three separate tests to be undertaken with 10
cycles completed in each test to allow reagent rates to be reviewed
and manipulated during the test and then return to steady
state.
Summary of Key Results
Sighter Flotation test:
Prior to undertaking the first lock cycle test, a sighter
flotation test ('SF') was completed to assess the reagent dose rate
required and the typical performance of the sample. The results
yielded a high quality spodumene concentrate at the Project target
grade of 5.50% Li(2) O at an 85% flotation stage recovery with no
optimisation of the reagent dose rate. The sample performed
excellently due to the low losses associated with the Dense Media
Separation pre-concentration stage, de-sliming and magnetic
separation. The overall global performance of the sighter test is
detailed in the figures following.
Table 1 - Sighter Flotation Global Performance
Composite Head Grade (% Li(2) O) Global Deportment of Li(2) O (%)
Floats Slimes Mags Mica Cons Flotation Tails SC5.5
------- ------- ----- ---------- ---------------- ------
1.23 2.5 2.1 2.0 11.0 1.1 81.4
------- ------- ----- ---------- ---------------- ------
Figure 1 - Sighter Flotation Global Performance
The graph for Figure 1 can be viewed through the PDF link
above.
Lock Cycle Test 1:
LCT 1 was undertaken with fixed reagent dose rates for the 10
cycles after regular review of the key product masses. The average
results for the final 2 cycles (9 and 10) achieved a concentrate
grading 5.50% Li(2) O at a stage recovery of 87.5%. This resulted
in a global recovery of 81.5%.
Lock Cycle Test 2:
After the promising results of LCT 1 showed a final 2 cycle
performance equal to the sighter flotation test, LCT 2 investigated
dropping the reagent dose rate at cycle 4 by 15% and again at cycle
7 by a further 15%. The results suggested that the process had not
reached steady state after the 10 cycles, however, the results were
encouraging by indicating that the recycled solids loading could
allow for a reduction in reagent dose rate, with only a minor
increase in the losses to the rougher tails.
Lock Cycle Test 3:
LCT 3 incorporated more comprehensive water recycling by
collecting all filtrates from the tails and concentrate fractions
for reuse. The recovered masses at each stage were regularly
reviewed and a reagent overdose/build-up stage was encountered, and
the rates reduced to suit. The final reagent dose rates were a 39%
reduction from the original dose rates, but the test was still able
to achieve a high-grade product at suitable recoveries.
The final two products from each LCT and the SF are presented in
the figure, which can be viewed through the PDF link above.
Figure 2 - Flotation Global Performance Comparison
The possible overall reduction in reagents should have
significant OPEX benefits for the Project and will be captured in
future economic evaluations.
It is noted that the recoveries stated above are based on lab
scale, and industry standard scale up factors should be applied to
account for increased slimes generation and therefore lithia losses
and equipment inefficiencies.
The programme was successfully able to produce representative
samples of by-products for analysis and OEM test work.
Photograph 1. Locked Cycle Testing in Progress
Future Work Plan
Further work is planned in Q3 and Q4 of 2022 to refine the
process operating conditions and investigate further opportunities
to improve process recovery. The next stage of the test work
programme will include:
-- Large scale bulk float tests
-- Water circuits and treatment
-- Pilot Plant testing
The Company will provide further updates as appropriate.
Competent Person Statement
The information in this announcement that relates to exploration
results is based upon information compiled by Mr Dale Ferguson,
Technical Director of Savannah Resources PLC. Mr Ferguson is a
Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
('MAusIMM') and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the
style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and
to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent
Person as defined in the December 2012 edition of the "Australasian
Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and
Ore Reserves" (JORC Code). Mr Ferguson consents to the inclusion in
the report of the matters based upon the information in the form
and context in which it appears.
The information in this release that relates to metallurgy and
metallurgical test work has been reviewed by Mr Robert Simmons,
MAusIMM, B. Eng. (Chemical Engineering). Mr Simmons is not an
employee of the Company but is engaged as a contract consultant. Mr
Simmons is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy, he has sufficient experience with the style of
processing response and type of deposit under consideration, and to
the activities undertaken, to qualify as a competent person as
defined in the 2012 edition of the "Australian Code for the
Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore
Reserves". Mr Simmons consents to the inclusion in this report of
the contained technical information in the form and context as it
appears.
Regulatory Information
This Announcement contains inside information for the purposes
of the UK version of the market abuse regulation (EU No. 596/2014)
as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the
European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("UK MAR").
Savannah - Enabling Europe's energy transition.
**ENDS**
Follow @SavannahRes on Twitter
Follow Savannah Resources on LinkedIn
For further information please visit www.savannahresources.com
or contact:
Savannah Resources PLC Tel: +44 20 7117 2489
David Archer, CEO
Tel: +44 20 3470 0470
SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP (Nominated
Advisor)
David Hignell / Charlie Bouverat
Tel: +44 20 7220 0500
finnCap Ltd (Joint Broker)
Christopher Raggett/ Tim Redfern
RBC Capital Markets (Joint Broker) Tel: +44 20 7653 4000
Farid Dadashev/ Jamil Miah
Tel: +44 20 7220 1666
WH Ireland Limited (Joint Broker)
Jessica Cave/ Ben Good (Corporate Finance)
Aimee McCusker (Corporate Broking)
Tel: +44 20 3757 4980
Camarco (Financial PR)
Gordon Poole/ Emily Hall
About Savannah
Savannah is the owner of the Barroso Lithium Project, located
close to key infrastructure in Northern Portugal which contains the
most significant spodumene lithium resource in Western Europe. With
a positive Scoping Study which outlined a conventional mine and
concentrator operation producing 175,000t of spodumene concentrate
per annum, Savannah is progressing the development and
environmental licencing of the Barroso Lithium Project. A
Definitive Feasibility Study is underway, and Portugal's
environmental regulator is currently evaluating Savannah's
Environmental Impact Assessment study. The Company is listed and
regulated on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment
Market (AIM: SAV). The Company's ordinary shares are also available
on the Quotation Board of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FWB: SAV),
and the Börse Stuttgart (SWB: SAV).
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