Houston Lake Mining Moves Ahead With Bulk Sampling at Pak Lithium Project

Houston Lake Mining (TSXV:HLM) reported that it is moving ahead with bulk sampling of the lithium zone of pegmatite at its PAK project as part of a program to determine the potential for commercializing the deposit. Results of 2013-2014 exploration have given indication that the project could have potential to be developed as a commercial supplier of technical grade lithium materials.

The company also stated that the scope of a future pre-feasibility study for PAK will be shaped by the results of the current phase of testing.

As quoted in the press release:

The characteristics of the high grade spodumene-bearing product comprising the Upper Intermediate Zone (“UIZ”) indicate there is potential for near term extraction of product from the zone that is suitable for use in traditional technical applications for spodumene concentrates (such as production of ceramics, frit, glass and glass ceramic). Production of this crushed and ground product without up-grading by flotation or gravity separation (Direct Shipping Ore “DSO”) could provide HLM with a source of useful revenue at low capital cost during the preparation of the Pre-feasibility and Feasibility Studies for the construction of a concentrator facility.

The key needs of the technical lithium users are low iron to lithia analysis ratio to avoid colouration of glass and glazes, consistent product analysis and particle size, and competitive cost. The lithium zone from which the bulk sample was extracted appears to have the pertinent mineralogical and chemical characteristics so it will be pilot-tested to validate the data that support these observations.

The sample has been collected by surface trenching of an area in the UIZ where there is discontinuous, limited overburden (<.5m) cover. The sample has been shipped from the property, and sample processing and transportation is expected to commence in the next few weeks.

Houston Lake president, Trevor Walker, said:

The bulk sample is the next step in HLM’s goal of becoming a fully integrated lithium, tantalum and rubidium producer by first establishing the ability of the Pakeagama Lake pegmatite deposit to produce a technical grade quality spodumene product for use in production of specialty glass and ceramics. The initial targeting of this lithium market segment is a logical introduction (based on low capital expenditure) of our long term strategy of supplying a wide range of rare metal products used in “green technology” applications. Spodumene helps the specialty glass and ceramics sector achieve efficiencies that reduce consumption of fossil fuels, energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Further “green” uses would be lithium compounds required for the electrification of transportation and other energy storage applications.

Click here to read the Houston Lake Mining (TSXV:HLM) press release