Preliminary Results Outline a PATH to Low-Cost Lithium Extraction at Agua Fria, Mexico (Lithium Australia 49%, Alix Resources 51%).
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Suite 1240, 789 West Pender St. Vancouver, British Columbia
Phone: 604-683-3995/ Toll Free: 888-945-4770/Fax: 604-683-3988
PRELIMINARY RESULTS OUTLINE A PATH TO LOW-COST LITHIUM EXTRACTION
AT AGUA FRIA, MEXICO (LITHIUM AUSTRALIA 49%, ALIX RESOURCES 51%).
May 1st, 2017, Vancouver, BC, Canada –ALIX RESOURCES CORP. (“Alix” or the “Company”)
(AIX-TSX:V) (37N –FRANKFURT) wish to p rovide the following news release issued by its JV
partner Lithium Australia ML (LIT-ASX) with regards to the ongoing program at the Agua Fria Lithium
Project located in Sonora, Mexico.
HIGHLIGHTS
Mineralogy suggests there is potential to significantly beneficiate Agua Fria mineralization.
Most lithium liberated rapidly at ambient temperature.
No expensive reagents required.
No roasting required.
Montmorillonite is thought to be the main lithium bearing mineral.
BACKGROUND
Drilling is progressing at Agu a Fria,
where Lithium Australia (ASX:LIT) and
Alix Resources Corporation (TSX:V
AIX) operate a 49/51% joint venture
(Figure 1).
The Agua Fria prospect is part of the
Electra Project (Figure 1) which is
focused on volcanogenic sediments
hosting widespread lithium
mineralization. The sediments occur
within the same geological sequence as
Bacanora Minerals’ La Ventana deposit
which is currently being evaluated for
production.
LIT AIX JV area
Figure 1 Shows the location of the Electra Project (which includes Agua Fria) Sonora, Mexico.
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La Ventana is the largest documented lithium “clay” deposit. Agua Fria has a similar geological
footprint and lies to the south of La Ventana deposit. Early indications are very promising with
significant drill intervals having average values exceeding 1000ppm lithium.
PRELIMINARY METALLURGICAL RESULTS
Metallurgical test wor k is being undertaken by Kap pes Cassiday and Associates in Reno, Nevada
(USA). Mineralogical characterization (using sample from surface trenching) has been evaluated with
quantitative X-ray diffraction and yielded the results shown in Table 1.
Mineral Ideal Formula Composite 1
Quartz SiO2 2
K-feldspar KAlSi3O8 18
Plagioclase NaAlSi3O8 – CaAlSi2O8 13
Analcime NaAlSi2O6∙H2O 12
Ankerite – Dolomite Ca(Fe2+,Mg,Mn)(CO3)2 –
CaMg(CO3)2 23
Calcite CaCO3 1
Anatase TiO2 1
Montmorillonite, model (Na,Ca)0.3(Al,Mg)2Si4O10(OH)2·n
H2O 30
Total 100
Table 1 Quantitative XRD of trench composite samples, Agua Fria.
INTERPRETED MINERALOGY
Quantitative XRD analyses were performed on a composite sample assembled from trench samples at
Agua Fria. The XRD suggests the main lithium bearing phase is montmorillonite, a lithium clay mineral
similar to hectorite. The other minerals forming the clay sample are dolomite, quartz, plagioclase
feldspar and analcime.
ACID EXTRACTION OF LITHIUM AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
Preliminary sulphuric acid shaker tests were carried out at room temperature for a period of four hour
on the samples containing up to 950 ppm Li. Lithium extraction attaining 85% were observed. These
are excellent results given the fa ct these sighter tests were performed at low temperature and with a
relatively short residence time. The tests indicate no thermal pre -treatment of the material is required .
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A moderate increase in temperature and residence time is expected to improve kinet ics and drive the
lithium extraction greater than 90 %.
BENEFICIATION POTENTIAL
Montmorillonite is thought to be the main lithium -bearing mineral. It accounts for only 30% of the
sample mass. Efficient separation of the montmorillonite from gangue mineral s has the potential to
produce a concentrate with significantly higher lithium grades than the bulk material subject of the
characterization work.
Separating montmorillonite from the acid-consuming dolomite and calcite by the application of de -
sliming or flotation will significantly reduce the quantity of acid used.
Lithium Australia Managing director Adrian Griffin stated:
“These results are a great start to our metallurgical evaluation program and clearly show the potential
to produce a valuable concen trate from the host volcanogenic sediments. The acid solubility of the
lithium is of greater importance. The ability to leach the lithium in very short periods of time, at ambient
temperature, and without the requirement of pre-treatment may have profound effects on the economics
of Agua Fria, the next major lithium clay deposit.”
The technical contents of this release were approved by Michel Boily, PhD, P.Geo a Qualified Person
as defined by National Instrument 43 -101. The propert y has not been the subject of a National
Instrument 43-101 report.
About Alix Resources
Alix Resources is a junior mining exploration company focused on seeking and acquiring world class
lithium projects globally. Alix continues to evaluate suitable prospects that fit the mandate of the
Company.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
“Michael England”
Michael England, President, Director
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Telephone: 1-604-683-3995
Toll Free: 1-888-945-4770
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Servic es Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture
Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward -looking statements, which relate to future events or
future performance and reflect management’s current expectations and assumptions. Such forward -looking statements reflect
management’s current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company . Investors
are cautioned that these forward looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncerta inties
that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof
and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revi se them
to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the forward -looking statements made in this press re lease are qualified by these
cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at WWW.SEDAR.COM).