Western Lithium Continues Optimisation Studies

RNS Number : 3939Q

Rare Earth Minerals PLC

17 June 2015

 

17 June 2015

Rare Earth Minerals Plc.

("Rare Earth Minerals", "REM" or "the Company")

Western Lithium Continues Optimisation Studies With Tenova Bateman Technologies

Rare Earth Mineral Plc (AIM: REM) is pleased to announce that Western Lithium USA Corporation ("Western Lithium"), in which REM holds an approximate 3.05% interest, is continuing its optimisation studies with Tenova Bateman Technologies ("Bateman") in order to complete an order-of-magnitude preliminary engineering study for Western Lithium's Nevada lithium deposit. 

Bateman has developed an advanced solvent extraction technology known as the LiSX™ process that is designed to efficiently separate and concentrate lithium from brines and chemical streams.  In 2010, Western Lithium engaged Bateman to conduct bench-scale testing of the LiSX™ process on lithium-enriched brine simulating Western Lithium's Nevada deposit. The test produced saturated lithium brine concentrates of >99.9% purity.

Also in 2010, Western Lithium began development of its electrochemical circuit to produce high purity lithium hydroxide from its Nevada brines, for battery applications.  Western Lithium has been advancing its lithium hydroxide circuit and plans to test whether the Bateman LiSX™ lithium separation method is complementary to the company's lithium hydroxide and carbonate products.  Utilizing low energy requirements, the LiSX™ process has the potential to enable the production of various customized high-purity (>99.9%) lithium end-products. 

In early 2015, Western Lithium produced 99.8% high quality lithium carbonate from the commissioning of its German based lithium demonstration facility.  Since then, Western Lithium has been completing optimization tests to incorporate into the next demonstration campaigns that are planned to commence in September 2015. Western Lithiums' full news release can be found at: www.westernlithium.com/western-lithium-continues-optimization-studies-with-tenova-bateman-technologies

Kiran Morzaria, the Company's Chief Executive Officer commented:

"Western Lithium's involvement with Bateman, in particular its plan to test the LiSX™ lithium separation method to extract Lithium Hydroxide is an important step in developing key product streams for battery applications.

As we see this market advance and grow we believe Lithium Hydroxide will increase in use and begin to take a larger market share in the battery market. REM has in both the Sonora Lithium Project and Western Lithium's Kings significant stakes in two very large strategically located lithium deposits and we continue to look for opportunities to make further value investments in this sector."

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For further information please contact: 

Rare Earth Minerals plc                                                                   [phone]

David Lenigas

Kiran Morzaria

WH Ireland Limited (NOMAD & Broker)                                          [phone]

James Joyce

Mark Leonard

Square1 Consulting                                                                         [phone]

David Bick, Mark Longson                                                                 

 

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