American Lithium continues to refine TLC PEA Flow-sheet Higher lithium purity with lower leach temperature indicates enhanced economic potential
American Lithium continues to refine TLC PEA Flow-sheet
Higher lithium purity with lower leach temperature indicates enhanced
economic potential
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, September 7, 2023 – American Lithium Corp. (“American Lithium” or
the “Company”) (TSX-V:LI | NASDAQ:AMLI | Frankfurt:5LA1) is pleased to announce results of on-
going process work on TLC claystones aimed at continued improvement and optimization of all phases
of the chemical process to produce lithium carbonate (“LC”). Optimization work focused on leaching
conditions and lithium recovery, minimizing lithium losses during neutralization and
magnesium sulphate crystallization, and on increasing the LC purity in the precipitation stage.
Highlights:
• LC purity increased to 99.59% (up from 99.4%)
• Lower leach temperature of 50°C (down from 90 °C), with continued high lithium extraction
rates (95%);
• Significant potential for lower acid consumption;
• Potential for lower lithium losses during impurity removal;
• Further optimization work continues to refine flow-sheet for PFS; and
• Process improvements expected to enhance project returns.
Simon Clarke, CEO of American Lithium states , “We are very pleased with the latest optimization work
on the TLC flowsheet as we move through pre -feasibility. The flowsheet continues to be refined with
improvements and results that should improve on the already robust US$3.28 Billion NPV for the project
highlighted in the Comp any’s maiden PEA. We are able to make strong, rapid progress utilizing the
expertise of TECMMINE in Peru, ANSTO in Australia and DRA Global, our Lead Engineers to drive TLC
through the prefeasibility process. We also believe that our focus on large -scale p rojects in Peru and
Nevada, which can produce high purity lithium products which do not need to be shipped overseas for
upgrading or refining, best meets the critical need for secure supplies of battery metals in as fast a timeline
as possible.”
Sulfuric Acid Leaching and Lithium Carbonate Precipitation Test Work - Details
Optimization bench scale test work has been on -going on the TLC flowsheet at TECMMINE Laboratories
in Lima, Peru over the past several months since the TLC Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) was
published (refer to Company News Release dated March 20, 2023). This work has been conducted under
the supervision of Chief Metallurgist, José Malqui, President of TECMMINE, with technical input on test
conditions from DRA Pacific . Leach conditions have been optimized using sulfuric acid leaching at 50 °C
achieving 95% lithium (“Li”) extraction in a 2-hour leach cycle with 495 kg/t acid consumption. This lowers
the leaching temperature conditions from 90°C used in the PEA, with comparable extraction. These leach
parameters resulted in lower acid consumption, which translates into lower limestone consumption
during the pre-neutralization phase and a reduction in lime requirements during the neutralization stage.
Magnesium sulfate crystallization w as improved resulting in 68% total magnesium recovery and
minimizing lithium losses to 1.1% during this impurity removal phase.
The final lithium recovery through the entire hydrometallurgical process achieved in this single test is
84.8% (see Table 1. – Summary Lithium Metallurgical Results, Circuit Simulation, below) with the highest
lithium carbonate (“LC”) purity achieved to date from TLC claystone processing test work.
A final calculated LC purity of 99.59% LCE was attained through the new optimized leach process.
Table 1. – Summary Lithium Metallurgical Results, Circuit Simulation
Li Recovery, %
Process of Feed to Process Cumulative
Leaching 95.0 95.0
Neutralization 98.9 94.0
Evaporation / Crystallization 91.2 85.7
Mg Removal - Sulfate 98.9 84.8
Ca Removal and Li Recovery* 100.0 84.8
* Lithium contained in products that would be recycled during commercial processing is considered recovered.
Test conditions were as follows:
• 2 hour agitated atmospheric leaching using sulfuric acid at 50°C followed by filtration and residue
washing achieved 95.0% lithium extraction.
• Leach solution was neutralized with limestone and lime to remove iron and aluminum, followed by
precipitate washing to recover entrained solution; completed with 98.9% recovery of lithium to filtrate
and rinse solutions.
• Sulfate crystallization by evaporation and cooling fol lowed by treatment with lime to remove
remaining magnesium, with 91.2% lithium recovery. This step is critical and will be further optimized
to minimize Li losses.
• Calcium removal and lithium carbonate production by reaction with sodium carbonate. All products
(precipitates and solutions) from these steps would be recycled in a commercial process, so no losses
are expected, or considered from these steps.
• Global lithium recovery of 84.8%
• LC product was sent to CIMM Laboratories in Lima for ICP -MS/ICP-OES multi-element analysis . A
calculated purity of 99.59% LC was achieved.
• All processing steps were simulated by batch testing in open -cycle. Recycling of products was not
simulated. These results will be verified by continuous and/or pilot testing with appropriate solution
recycling.
• Lithium contained in products that would be recycled during commercial processing was considered
recovered.
Qualified Persons
John Joseph Riordan, BSc, CEng, FAuslMM, MIChemE, RPEQ, of DRA Pacific (Pty) Ltd. , an Independent
Qualified Person as defined by NI 43 -101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical
metallurgical information contained in this news release.
Mr. Ted O’Connor, P.Geo., Executive Vice President of American Lithium, a Qualified Person as defined by
National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the
scientific and technical information contained in this news release.
About American Lithium
American Lithium is actively engaged in the development of large -scale lithium projects within mining -
friendly jurisdictions throughout the Americas. The Company is currently focused on the continued
development of its strategically located TLC Lithium Claystone Project in the richly mineralized Esmeralda
lithium district in Nevada, as well as continuing to advance its Falchani Hard -rock Lithium Project and
Macusani Uranium Project in southeastern Peru. All three projects, TLC, Falchani and Macusani have been
through robust preliminary economic assessments, exhibit strong expansion potential and enjoy strong
community support. Pre-feasibility work is well advanced at Falchani and has commenced at TLC.
For more information, please contact the Company at [email protected] or visit our website
at www.americanlithiumcorp.com for project update videos and related background information.
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On behalf of the Board of Directors of American Lithium Corp.
“Simon Clarke”
CEO & Director
Tel: 604 428 6128
Inquiries:
Nancy Thompson
Vorticom, Inc.
212-532-2208
Neither the 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 press
release.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information
This news release contains certain forward -looking information and forward -looking statements (collectively
“forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than
statements of historical fact, are forward -looking statements. Forward -looking statements in this news release
include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the ability to appeal the judicial ruling, the anticipated
completion of pre -feasibility work , and any other statements regarding the business plans, expectations and
objectives of American Lithium. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as "may", "will",
"plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend", “indicate”, “scheduled”, “target”, “goal”, “potential”, “subject”,
“efforts”, “option” and similar words, or the negative connotations thereof, referring to future events and results.
Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements relating to ongoing
optimization work for the TLC project; the potential to produce battery grade lithium carbonate and / or hydroxide,
the Company’s ability to fund its activities and work programs with its current capital and the Company’s business
and strategic plans. Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and expectations of management
and are not, and cannot be, a guarantee of future results or events. Although American Lithium believes that the
current opinions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information
available at the time, undue reliance should not be placed on forward -looking statements since American Lithium
can provide no assurance that such opinions and expectations will prove to be correct. All forward-looking statements
are inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including risks, uncertainties
and assumptions related to: American Lithium’s ability to achieve its stated goals, which could have a material
adverse impact on many aspects of American Lithium’s businesses including but not limited to: the ability to access
mineral properties for indeterminate amounts of time, the health of the employees or consultants resulting in delays
or diminished capacity, social or political instability in Peru which in turn could impact American Lithium’s ability to
maintain the continuity of its business operating requirements, may result in the reduced availability or failures of
various local administration and critical infrastructure, reduced deman d for the American Lithium’s potential
products, availability of materials, global travel restrictions, and the availability of insurance and the associated costs;
the judicial appeal process in Peru, and any and all future remedies pursued by American Lithium and its subsidiary
Macusani to resolve the title for 32 of its concessions; the ongoing ability to work cooperatively with stakeholders,
including but not limited to local communities and all levels of government; the potential for delays in exploration or
development activities; the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the
possibility that any future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with our expectations;
risks that pe rmits will not be obtained as planned or delays in obtaining permits; mining and development risks,
including risks related to accidents, equipment breakdowns, labour disputes (including work stoppages, strikes and
loss of personnel) or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in exploration and development; risks
related to commodity price and foreign exchange rate fluctuations; risks related to foreign operations; the cyclical
nature of the industry in which American Lithium operates; risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a
timely basis and on acceptable terms or delays in obtaining governmental approvals; risks related to environmental
regulation and liability; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and expl oration; risks related to the
uncertain global economic environment and the effects upon the global market generally, any of which could
continue to negatively affect global financial markets, including the trading price of American Lithium’s shares and
could negatively affect American Lithium’s ability to raise capital and may also result in additional and unknown risks
or liabilities to American Lithium. Other risks and uncertainties related to prospects, properties and business strategy
of American Lithium are identified in the “Risk Factors” section of American Lithium’s Management’s Discussion and
Analysis filed on May 29, 2023, and in recent securities filings available at www.sedar.com. Actual events or results
may differ materially from those project ed in the forward -looking statements. American Lithium undertakes no
obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should
not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Cautionary Note Regarding Macusani Concessions
Thirty-two of the 169 concessions held by American Lithium’s subsidiary Macusani , are currently subject to
Administrative and Judicial processes (together, the “Processes”) in Peru to overturn resolutions issued by INGEMMET
and the Mining Council of MINEM in February 2019 and July 2019, respectively, which declared Macusani’s title to
32 of the concessions invalid due to late receipt of the annual validity payments. In November 2019, Macusani applied
for injunctive relief on 32 concessions in a Court in Lima, Peru and was successful in obtaining such an injunction on
17 of the concessi ons including three of the four concessions included in the Macusani Uranium Project PEA. The
grant of the Precautionary Measure (Medida Cautelar) has restored the title, rights and validity of those 17
concessions to Macusani until a final decision is obt ained at the last stage of the judicial process. A Precautionary
Measure application was made at the same time for the remaining 15 concessions and was ultimately granted by a
Court in Lima, Peru on March 2, 2021 which has also restored the title, rights a nd validity of those 15 remaining
concessions to Macusani, with the result being that all 32 concessions are now protected by Precautionary Measure
(Medida Cautelar) until a final decision on this matter is obtained at the last stage of the judicial proces s. The
favourable judge’s ruling confirming title to all 32 concessions from November 3, 2021 represents the final stage of
the current judicial process. However, this ruling has recently been appealed by MINEM and INGEMMET. American
Lithium has no assurance that the outcome of these appeals will be in the Company’s favour.