Alset Energy lab results return up to 97% Li recovery

Mr. Allan Laboucan reports: ALSET REPORTS PROMISING LEACH RESULTS FROM MEXICAN SALARS

 

Alset Energy Corp. has provided information on recent laboratory results. This work tested leaching characteristics of soils, or unconsolidated salar infill material, collected at three of the company's lithium-rich salars in Mexico. These tests were done to better understand the recovery potential of lithium. The results demonstrate 79-per-cent, 86-per-cent and 97-per-cent lithium (Li) recovery using a weak acid leach and are summarized in the attached table.

 

Allan Barry Laboucan, president and chief executive officer of Alset Energy, stated: "After we received very encouraging lab results on the chemical compositions of 30 historical samples (see Alset press release dated Dec. 7, 2016), our team is now delighted that we have passed another important milestone with the recovery of up to 97 per cent of the lithium from soil samples using a weak acid leach. 

This shows that our salars soils are a promising source of lithium that warrants further investigation. Our next major milestone will be the granting of drill permits -- these applications are well under way. The goal of drilling will be to better understand the historical work conducted to date, to explore for brines within the salars and provides an opportunity to collect new soil samples to further investigate the lithium recovery potential from this material. The body of historical results are significant to our investigation and are currently being interpreted. We are also excited to announce that we have entered into a consulting agreement with Synexus (Pty.) Ltd. as we move forward in investigating cost-effective process options for the recovery of lithium and other values from the salars."

 

 

Synexus is unique in its utilization of membrane separation technology for the selective recovery of lithium. Membrane technology has significant advantages compared with traditional evaporation-pond-type lithium recovery methods, amongst others; dramatically reducing production time, higher recovery rates, mitigating challenges associated with higher magnesium per lithium ratios, and allows recovery of other values found at economic concentrations within the company's salars.

 

                               LITHIUM RESULTS
            Activation Laboratories -- report No.: A16-13646 
      (report dates: Feb. 2, 2017; Feb. 21, 2017; Feb. 22, 2017)
  
                                    Four-acid digestion weak acid leach recovery

Composite sample No.              Salar          Li (ppm)        Li (ppm)      (%)

Composite A16-10795 (1-10)  Santa Clara              464             368       79
Composite A16-10795 (11-20)   La Salada            1,460           1,250       86
Composite A16-10795 (21-30)    Caliguey            1,040           1,010       97

 

Lithium head assay results range from 464 to 1,460 parts per million Li, which closely mirrors of recent and historical results. The weak acid leachate results range from 368 to 1,250 ppm Li representing 79- to 97-per-cent recovery of lithium from soils.

In addition to the encouraging lithium leach results, potassium (K) leach results, summarized in the attached table, indicate this value may represent a byproduct with economic significance. The potassium head assays range from 24,700 to 41,000 ppm K. The weak acid leach demonstrated a recovery of 40 to 82 per cent, or 15,500 to 20,300 ppm K.

 

                            POTASSIUM RESULTS
              Activation Laboratories -- report No.: A16-13646 
      (report dates: Feb. 2, 2017; Feb. 21, 2017; Feb. 22, 2017)
  
                                    Four-acid digestion weak acid leach recovery

Composite sample No.               Salar    K (%)  K (ppm)   K (%) K (ppm)      (%)

Composite A16-10795  (1-10)  Santa Clara     4.1   41,000    1.97  19,700       48
Composite A16-10795  (11-20)   La Salada    2.47   24,700    2.03  20,300       82
Composite A16-10795  (21-30)    Caliguey    3.84   38,400    1.55  15,500       40

 

These results are considered preliminary investigations into the leaching characteristics of the soils, or unconsolidated salar infill material. The favourable Li recoveries using a weak acid leach indicate further sampling and leach testing are warranted. Selected results of interest are reported; the complete table of results will be posted on Alset's website or can be obtained by request.

Methodology

In order to achieve representative leach results of material from the Santa Clara, La Salada and Caliguey salars, one composite sample was created for each salar. The composite sample was created by combining material from 30 historical samples that were collected during historical sampling efforts completed by LitioMex (2009 to 2011) and submitted to Activation Laboratories (Zacatecas, Mexico, and Ancaster, Ont.) in 2016 for geochemical evaluation and X-ray diffraction analysis (see Alset news release dated Oct. 4, 2016, and Alset news release dated Dec. 7, 2016). Upon completion of these analyses, the remaining material was used to create composite samples by mixing and homogenizing 10 samples from each salar into one composite sample to represent each salar. A portion of the sample was then analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) procedure with a four-acid total digestion to determine the geochemical composition or head grade. The remaining material from each composite sample was divided into two aliquots, one was leached with hot water and the other with weak acid (aqua regia). Both leachates were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine their composition.

Emily Hanson, PGeo, vice-president of exploration for Alset Energy, is the qualified person responsible for this release and has prepared, supervised and approved the preparation of the scientific and technical disclosure contained within the release.

About Alset Energy Corp.

Alset Energy is a TSX Venture Exchange-listed junior exploration company focused on exploring and acquiring mineral properties containing the metals needed by today's high-tech industries. The company is actively exploring in Mexico and Canada.

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