American Lithium Continues to Refine Processing Method for Lithium Project

American Lithium continues optimizing process flowsheet for its TLC lithium clay project in Nevada. Recent results show potential for lower costs and improved economics versus PEA estimates.
About American Lithium
American Lithium Corp. is a mining company focused on developing large-scale lithium projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions in the Americas. The company is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia and is publicly traded on the TSX Venture Exchange and NASDAQ.
American Lithium's flagship project is the Tonopah Lithium Claims (TLC) project located in Nevada. TLC is a claystone lithium deposit located near the town of Tonopah in Esmeralda County. The project has a large measured and indicated resource of 5.37 million tonnes LCE and recently completed a robust Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) which outlined an NPV of $3.28 billion.
The company also owns the Falchani lithium project in Peru and the Macusani uranium project, also in Peru. American Lithium is led by President and CEO Simon Clarke and has a strong technical team with experience in lithium project development.
TLC Process Refinements Should Enhance Economics
American Lithium announced positive results from ongoing metallurgical test work on mineral samples from TLC. The test work focused on optimizing the processing flowsheet and has resulted in higher lithium recovery and purity.
Key highlights include:
- Lithium carbonate purity increased to 99.59%, up from 99.4%
- Lower leach temperature of 50°C, down from 90°C in PEA
- Potential for lower acid consumption
- Lower lithium losses during impurity removal stages
- Global lithium recovery of 84.8% in optimized flowsheet testing
These process refinements have the potential to lower operating costs and improve project economics compared to the PEA estimates.
Details of the Optimization Work
The test work was conducted by TECMMINE Laboratories in Lima, Peru under the guidance of American Lithium's metallurgists.
Some of the key process improvements include:
- Reduced leaching temperature to 50°C from 90°C with similar 95% lithium extraction. This significantly lowers energy requirements.
- Lower acid consumption during leaching of 495 kg/t, reducing acid costs.
- Improved magnesium removal during crystallization, reducing lithium losses.
- Higher purity of 99.59% lithium carbonate achieved versus 99.4% in PEA. This improves quality and value.
- Global lithium recovery of 84.8% across the optimized flowsheet. Up from 80.9% in the PEA.
While further optimization is still underway, these results indicate American Lithium has been successful at enhancing the process flowsheet for TLC.
Next Steps for American Lithium
With positive metallurgical results in hand, American Lithium is progressing the TLC project towards a Pre-Feasibility Study. Additional pilot plant and continuous testing will aim to further refine the flowsheet design.
The company is also working on upcoming drill programs at TLC focused on expanding resources. Recent nearby discoveries by others have highlighted the potential for TLC to significantly grow beyond the current 5.37 million tonne resource.
For investors, American Lithium offers exposure to a large-scale development lithium project located in a top-tier mining jurisdiction. The recent metallurgical advancements improve the outlook for strong project economics. With lithium demand rapidly rising, TLC is well-positioned to reach production to supply this key battery metal.
Conclusion
American Lithium's strategic focus on large lithium resources in Nevada and Peru provides investors with leverage to the growing EV battery market.
The recent optimization of the TLC flowsheet enhances the project and supports the potential for improved economics versus the already robust PEA. With a strengthened technical process, TLC can move forward towards production to capitalize on strong lithium market fundamentals.
For investors seeking lithium exposure, American Lithium offers an attractive opportunity. The company has a proven technical team advancing TLC rapidly while also progressing its earlier stage Falchani lithium project in Peru.
With lithium prices rising and demand surging, American Lithium's portfolio of projects provides investors with compelling leverage to the accelerating EV and battery growth trends in the coming years. The company is positioned as an emerging lithium developer and is one to watch in the sector.
Analyst's Notes


