Danakali Confirms Potassium-Rich Brines at Colluli

Danakali Limited (ASX:DNK) reported that potassium rich brines were detected during pump tests within the Colluli tenements in Eritrea, East Africa. The brines sit within the clastic layer, above the rock salt and potash resource, and will be removed during pit dewatering and used in the processing plant where the potassium will be recovered.
As quoted in the press release:

Potassium rich brines were identified during pump tests designed to support development and refinement of ground water models. The pump tests have been used to estimate groundwater dewatering requirements and the effects of mining upon the groundwater system. The potassium brines will removed during pit dewatering and utilised in the processing plant where the potassium will be recovered. Ground water depths range from 1.16m to 12.64m.
Significance of results
Potassium and sulphate rich brines are typically used to produce potassium sulphate or sulphate of potash (SOP) by evaporating the brines to form a harvest salt which is then converted to SOP in a processing plant.
The potassium salts of Colluli start in solid form, negating the need for large footprint evaporation ponds, and time consuming evaporative harvest salt generation. Colluli process water will be directed to a series of recovery ponds to recover any dissolved potassium exiting the plant.
The addition of potassium rich brines from the clastics to the processing plant will increase the overall potassium feedrate to the recovery ponds and ultimately increase the overall yield.

Danakali Managing Director, Paul Donaldson, said:

“This is a processing benefit. The potassium rich brines sitting above the resource, which will be abstracted as part of the pit dewatering program, represent an additional source of potassium to complement the mined potassium salts fed to the processing plant. This will potentially improve the overall process product yield. Important to note is that the chemistry of these brines in some cases is as good as, or better than potassium rich lake brines.”

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