Pure Energy Minerals Begins Next Stage of Process Test Work

Pure Energy Minerals (TSXV:PE) will move to the next phase of process test work with Bateman Advanced Technologies, a Tenova Group Company. The company expects to complete a preliminary economic assessment for its Clayton Valley South project in 2016.
As quoted in the press release:

As part of its ongoing work towards a Preliminary Economic Assessment expected in 2016, the Company has secured access to BAT’s state-of-the-art Research and Development Center in Katzrin, Israel. During early 2016, the Pure Energy – Bateman team will commence trial processing runs in BAT’s Mini Pilot Plant designed to recover high-purity, battery-grade lithium products from brine sourced from Pure Energy’s CVS Project, located near Silver Peak, Nevada.
BAT has developed a novel proprietary technology for the efficient and effective recovery of lithium from brines and chemical waste streams using a proven process with a small environmental footprint. In 2014, Pure Energy engaged BAT to conduct bench-scale testing of the LiP™ and LiSX™ processes (see below) on brine from the Company’s CVS Project. The bench-scale testing succeeded in producing a Lithium Chloride solution with a purity greater than 99.9%. The Li concentration in the waste stream was below the detection limit — indicating practically 100% Li recovery (see news release dated April 20, 2015).

Pure Energy Minerals CEO, Robert Mintak, said:

We are 15 years into the 21^st century and the current producers of lithium materials for the green economy still rely on inefficient, environmentally challenging, capital intensive 20^th century processes. Significant advancements have taken place in mineral processing and battery material production technologies, and the suite of BAT processes is designed for high rates of lithium recovery, a smaller environmental footprint and lower investment cost. Securing access to this facility at the correct stage in the development timeline for Pure Energy is a huge advantage, and will provide crucial information relating to the cost and efficiency of using these new processing techniques to produce battery-grade materials from the CVS Project. Pure Energy is focused on developing the most efficient lithium recovery technologies for the CVS Project, and is engaged in ongoing work with other world-class technology leaders in the sector.

Click here for the full press release.