International Lithium Receives Proof of Concept Study for Lithium Recovery Using Membrane Separation
International Lithium Receives Proof of Concept Study for
Lithium Recovery Using Membrane Separation
Vancouver, B.C. September 5 , 2017: International Lithium Corp. (the “ Company” or
“ILC”) (TSX VENTURE: ILC) is pleased to announce that it has received a final report,
“Proof of Concept Study – Lithium Recovery Using Membrane Separation” (the “Study”)
prepared by Synexus (Pty) Limited of South Africa (“Synexus”). The Study was
conducted utilizing (filtered) raw brine from the Salar de Llulla illaico, location of the
Mariana lithium brine joint venture project (“Mariana”) in Salta, Argentina. Results from
the Study indicate that the selective recovery of lithium directly from raw (filtered) brine,
with the simultaneous rejection of other cation and anion species, using a proprietary
lithium selective separation process (the “technology”) is possible. Lithium was
selectively recovered from the raw brine to produce lithium hydroxide (“LiOH”), a high
value ingredient used directly in lithium battery manufacturing, as a final product.
Summary of Study Results:
The use of the technology presents a possible alternative to the natural evaporation
process currently proposed at Mariana.
The technology could provide a process route to produce lithium hydroxide directly
from the raw brine without the need to remove contaminants like magnesium by
liming, as would be required in the natural evaporation process.
Based on intitial estimates, the technology can achieve higher recoveries than
natural evaporation even with relatively low concentrations of lithium.*
Use of technolgy has the potentional to enable a considerable increase in production
rate compared to evaporative ponds. Lithium is directly removed from the brine and
the (spent) brine can be returned to the basin with little effect on the water balance.*
With further refining the technology could also permit the recovery of p otassium and
other cations if desired.
* At present, the Mariana Project joint venture partners have not conducted any formal economic
analyses on the project. Statements regarding comparisons of recoveries are based on initial bench
scale tests for the natural evaporation process and for the selective membrane technology. Additional
testing and scaling up of the process is required before any definitive statements regarding recoveries
can be made, and projected capital a nd operating costs can be effectively modelled and compared.
1111 Melville Street, Suite 1100
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6E 3V6, Canada
T: 604-700-8912
www.internationallithium.com
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The information provided herein is to provide a minimum level of confidence that the selective
membrane method presents a possible alternative to the natural evaporation method of lithium
extraction from the brine and further study is warranted based on these results. The “Study” is not a
preliminary economic assessment, preliminary feasibility study or feasibility study. Any economic
analysis would have to be supported by a preliminary economic assessment, preliminary feasibility
study or feasibility study. The reader is cautioned that the Mariana project is still at an exploration
stage and there is no guarantee that an economic mining scenario will result and no mineral reserves
have yet to be defined as per the standards of disclosure defined in National Instrument 43-101
Standard of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
At Mariana, the current focus for lithium extraction is to determine the break points of
contaminants such as magnesium and sulphate in the natural evaporation process in
order to define the timing of the lim ing process . Large q uantities of lime and other
reagents needed to neutralize the brine chemistry to prevent the loss of lithium through
precipitation during the evaporation concentration process generally tend to have a
severe negative impact on the economics of lithium brine operations.
In the case of the Mariana project, this new technology could provide an alternative to
the currently adopted plan of us ing natural solar evaporation of producing a brine
concentrate containing about 6% lithium that would be exported for refining.
This technology is proprietary to Synexus. It could be adjusted and configured for other
brine deposits’ unique chemistry , alleviating the need for costly and time consuming
solution purification and pre-concentration steps such as required by natural solar
evaporation.
“We consider this report very encouraging n ews for the advancement of our Mariana
Lithium JV Project,” commented Kirill Klip, Executive Chairman of ILC.
Jonathan Findlay, a “Qualified Person” for the purposes of National Instrument 43 -101 -
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects , has reviewed and approved the scientific
and technical information contained in this news release.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Kirill Klip
Executive Chairman
For further information concerning this news release please contact +1 604-700-8912
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term
is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain “forward -
looking information” within the meaning of appli cable securities law. Forward-looking
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information or forward -looking statements in this news release include: the timing and
anticipated results of environmental impact studies and pump tests, timing of
preliminary economic studies on the Mariana project, the expectation of feasibility
studies, lithium recoveries, modelling of capital and operating costs, and the Company’s
continued interest in the Mariana project . Such forward-looking information is based on
a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, including
but not limited to those discussed in the sections entitled “Risks” and “Forward-Looking
Statements” in the interim and annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis which
are available at www.sedar.com. While managemen t believes that the assumptions
made are reasonable, there can be no assurance that forward -looking statements will
prove to be accurate . Should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors
materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove in correct, actual results may vary
materially from those described in forward -looking information. Forward -looking
information herein, and all subsequent written and oral forward -looking information are
based on expectations, estimates and opinions of manage ment on the dates they are
made that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the time of such
statements, are subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties
and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions may prove to be incorrect and
are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as required
by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward -looking information
should circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions change.