Aim-listed Atlantic Lithium has appointed consultancy DRA Global to conduct a scoping study for the inclusion of a flotation circuit at the Ewoyaa lithium project, in Ghana.
The scoping study forms part of Stage 2 of the project’s development and will comprise an evaluation of the technical and commercial viability of using flotation to process fines and middlings as a potential additional downstream circuit to the planned main dense media separation processing plant at Ewoyaa.
The scoping study will assess the use of the 4.7-million tonnes of 1.2% lithium oxide fines material that is currently intended to be sold as a low-grade secondary product, as per the Ewoyaa definitive feasibility study.
Atlantic’s preliminary testwork on the matter indicates encouraging flotation stage recovery from the low-grade material, and the possibility to achieve higher than 5% lithium oxide concentrate grades.
The higher-value concentrate produced by flotation would replace the current lower grade secondary product, which would enhance Ewoyaa’s financial outcomes and de-risk the project – in the event that the low-grade lithium-bearing products market is adversely affected.
DRA will deliver process design criteria, a processing flowsheet, and capital and operating cost estimates as part of the scoping study, which is planned for completion later this year.