LIFT Reports Preliminary Lithium Conversion Testwork Results for the Yellowknife Lithium Project
LIFT Reports Preliminary Lithium Conversion
Testwork Results for the Yellowknife Lithium
Project
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 24, 2025) - Li-FT Power Ltd.
(TSXV: LIFT)
(OTCQX: LIFFF) (FSE: WS0)
("
LIFT
" or the "
Company
") is pleased to report results from preliminary
laboratory lithium conversion testwork completed in 2025 on a spodumene concentrate sample from
material from the Yellowknife Lithium Project, Northwest Territories, Canada. Metallurgical testwork
comprised the calcination, sulphuric acid mixing and roasting, and water leaching tests which were
undertaken at SGS Canada Inc. ("SGS") in Lakefield, Ontario. Testing was completed on a DMS
concentrate sample produced from pegmatite material from the Big East (BigE) deposit (
see press
release dated September 23, 2024
). The conversion test work showed excellent results with up to 98%
lithium extraction under typical operating conditions.
Summary of Results
Francis MacDonald, CEO of LIFT comments, "We are very pleased with the results of this preliminary
lithium conversion test work, which demonstrated lithium extraction rates of up to 98%, a strong
validation of the spodumene concentrate quality from our Yellowknife Lithium Project. These findings
mark a significant technical milestone as we continue to advance the project towards becoming a future
source of high-quality lithium for the North American battery supply chain."
Details of the Metallurgical Program
Preliminary lithium conversion testing was completed on a DMS concentrate sample produced from
pegmatite material from the Big East deposit (
see press release dated September 23, 2024
). Lithium
chemical analysis of the concentrate sample was performed by sodium peroxide fusion digestion
followed by inductively coupled plasma optical spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Whole rock analysis (WRA)
was performed by borate fusion and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF). Elemental composition of the DMS
spodumene concentrate sample tested is presented in Table 1. The spodumene concentrate sample
graded 5.60% Li
2
O and contained 0.65% Fe
2
O
3
.
Table 1: Chemical analysis of the spodumene concentrate sample
Component
Composition (%)
Li
Li
2
O
Fe
2
O
3
SiO
2
Al
2
O
3
MgO
CaO
Na
2
O
K
2
O
MnO
2.60
5.60
0.65
67.1
23.8
0.11
0.12
1.02
0.74
0.10
The mineralogical composition of the spodumene concentrate sample was determined using the semi-
quantitative Rietveld refinement method based on X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) results and are shown in
Table 2. The spodumene concentrate sample contained 70% spodumene, 15.4% quartz, 8.7% albite,
3.9% muscovite, 1.2% orthoclase, and minor quantities (<1%) of biotite and magnetite.
Table 2: Spodumene concentrate sample mineralogy
Mineral
Composition (%)
Spodumene
70.0
Quartz
15.4
Albite
8.7
Muscovite
3.9
Orthoclase
1.2
Biotite
0.7
Magnetite
0.1
Total
100
Testwork Scope
The conversion testwork program included:
1
.
Calcination;
2
.
Sulphuric acid mixing and Roasting;
3
.
Water leaching.
The objective of calcination is to convert alpha-spodumene into the leachable beta- and/or gamma-
phases. The conversion process increases the volume and the surface area of the material, weakening
its crystal structure allowing for subsequent lithium extraction (leaching). For calcination, roughly 400 g of
spodumene concentrate was placed in a crucible and heated to temperatures ranging from 1000°C to
1100°C in a laboratory furnace (Figure 1).
Calcined samples were ground to roughly 150 µm. In order to confirm conversion and quantify metal
extractions, calcined samples underwent acid mixing followed by roasting in laboratory furnace, at
250°C. The objective of acid mixing and roasting is to convert the lithium in the spodumene to lithium
sulphate. Water leaching tests were then completed on the lithium sulphate samples at 60°C for 60
minutes, with results reported in Table 3. The water leaching setup is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Muffle furnace used for calcination (left) and the water leaching laboratory setup.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8766/249636_liftimg1.jpg
Test work Results
Figure 2 shows an example image of the spodumene concentrate before and after calcination.
Figure 2: Example images of spodumene concentrate (left) and calcination product (right).
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8766/249636_liftimg2.jpg
Table 3 summarizes the water leaching test results and shows lithium extractions and compositions of
the pregnant leach solution (PLS). Lithium concentrations in solutions were up to 19,600 mg/L with
typical impurities present (e.g., aluminium, iron, calcium, sodium).
Table 3: Summary of Water leaching test results
Parameter
Units
Test
1
2
3
4
Calcination Temp.
°C
1000
1050
1050
1100
Residence Time
min.
30
30
15
30
Lithium Extraction
%
79
98
96
98
PLS Concentrations
Li
Al
Fe
Mg
Ca
Na
K
Mn
mg/L
15,900
4,000
845
78
385
1340
565
275
19,100
3590
535
42
326
1640
484
163
19,600
4200
622
55
363
1530
534
180
19,600
3750
514
37
322
1860
528
145
Figure 3 shows the effect of calcination time and temperature on water leaching lithium extraction. At
calcination temperatures above 1050°C (typical industrial conversion conditions) and residence time of
30 minutes, lithium extraction reached 98%. There was only a slight decrease in lithium extraction (96%)
when the residence time was decreased to 15 minutes.
Figure 3: Impact of calcination time and temperature and leach extraction.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8766/249636_dfbd8a9c24518bd1_005full.jpg
The preliminary testwork results show that spodumene concentrate produced from the Yellowknife
Lithium project is amenable to conversion under typical operating parameters.
Qualified Person
The disclosure in this news release of scientific and technical information regarding LIFT's mineral
properties has been reviewed and approved by Jarrett Quinn, Ph.D., P.Eng, Process Director, Synectiq
Inc., and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for
Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) and member in good standing of the Ordre des Ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ)
(Registration number: 5018119).
About LIFT
LIFT is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of
lithium pegmatite projects located in Canada. The Company's flagship project is the Yellowknife Lithium
Project located in Northwest Territories, Canada. LIFT also holds three early-stage exploration
properties in Quebec, Canada with excellent potential for the discovery of buried lithium pegmatites, as
well as the Cali Project in Northwest Territories within the Little Nahanni Pegmatite Group.
For further information, please contact:
Francis MacDonald
Chief Executive Officer
Tel:
+ 1.604.609.6185
Email:
Website:
www.li-ft.com
Daniel Gordon
Investor Relations
Tel: +1.604.609.6185
Email:
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements included in this press release constitute forward-looking information or statements
(collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including those identified by the expressions "anticipate",
"believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "should" and similar expressions to the extent
they relate to the Company or its management. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts
but reflect current expectations regarding future results or events. This press release contains forward-
looking statements. These forward-looking statements and information reflect management's current
beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the company
with respect to the matter described in this new release.
Forward-Looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which are based on current expectations
as of the date of this release and subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements.
Additional information about these assumptions and risks and uncertainties is contained under "Risk
Factors" in the Company's latest annual information form filed on March 21, 2025, which is available
under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at
www.sedarplus.ca
, and in other filings that the Company has
made and may make with applicable securities authorities in the future. Forward-Looking statements
contained herein are made only as to the date of this press release and we undertake no obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise, except as required by law. We caution investors not to place considerable reliance on the
forward-looking statements contained in this press release.
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
news release.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit
https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/249636