JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Following a memorandum of understanding signed Thursday, ASX-listed junior developer Lithium Australia has joined forces with TSX-listed Alix Resources to develop the lithium-extraction technologies needed to advance Alix’s lithium concessions – the Electra project – in Sonora, Mexico, earning Lithium Australia a 25% interest in the Electra joint venture.

“At Lithium Australia we recognise the value of innovation in developing process solutions . . . and we strongly believe we can develop a processing strategy to enhance the commercial opportunity provided by lithium clay,” said Lithium Australia MD Adrian Griffin.

Acknowledging the challenge of bringing low-grade material into production, Lithium Australia and Alix shared the view that a combination of low-grade material and the application of energy-intensive processing systems had historically hindered lithium clay deposits from being commercialised. They believed that the key to commercialisation lay in low-energy process flowsheets and the potential to beneficiate ore.

The companies further noted that other industries’ adoption of mineral separation technology could allow production of a beneficiated product to reduce capital and operating costs.

Lithium Australia had experience in processing similar materials successfully, implementing low-energy alternatives to extract lithium from micas. It had also been successful in producing lithium carbonate from unconventional silicate feed material.

The 22 625 ha Electra project contained interpreted strike extensions of the Sonora project, operated by Rare Earth Minerals and Bacanora Minerals.

Some of the materials previously tested by Lithium Australia may have similar mineral chemistry to some components of the mineralisation at the Sonora lithium project, which adjoins the Electra project.

Meanwhile, work continues at the Electra project to explore and develop the projected extensions of Mexico’s giant Sonora lithium clay deposit.