COMPLETES HEAVY LIQUID SEPARATION AND MAGNETIC SEPARATION TEST
CHIMATA – ZIMBABWE LITHIUM COMPANY ( MAURITIUS ) ( “ ZIM “ ) COMPLETES HEAVY LIQUID SEPARATION AND MAGNETIC SEPARATION TEST WORK PRODUCING 7.08% Li2O CONCENTRATE
Vancouver, BC April 17, 2018 – Chimata Gold Corp. (TSX.V: CAT) (“Chimata” or the “Company”) announces that Zimbabwe Lithium Company ( MAURITIUS ) ( “ZIM “ ), with which Chimata has entered into a binding letter of intent, as provided in the Company’s press release dated February 14, 2018, has completed a second round of preliminary heavy liquid separation (“HLS”) and magnetic separation test work, on the coarse material fraction from grab samples taken at its Kamativi Lithium Tailings Project (the “Project”) located in Zimbabwe. Concentrate produced during the scoping test work campaign was 7.08% Li2O. HLS test work was completed by SGS South Africa (Pty) Ltd. (“SGS”), a world leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company located in South Africa.
Heavy Liquid Separation Test Work Summary
Seven (7) samples associated with the test work conducted at SGS were taken from a number of different grab sample locations across the surface of the tailings deposit, with the material being composited and submitted for HLS test work. This preliminary testing is provided by the Company for information purposes only, is not representative of lithium recovery on the Project and it is not representative of any economic mineralization on the Project.
Upon receipt, the sample was classified at 425 µm, with the coarser fraction serving as feed to the HLS test work. The mass yield and lithium distribution across the fractions is presented in Table 1, with lower mass yield and higher lithium deportment resulting in an upgrade in Li2O content in the coarse fraction.
Table 1: Coarse and fine fractions; mass split, Li2O grades, distributions
Li2O Grade (%) |
Li2O Distribution (%) |
Mass Split (%) |
|
Head Feed |
0.72 |
100.00 |
100.0 |
+425 μm |
0.853 |
55.10 |
46.4 |
-425 μm |
0.601 |
44.90 |
53.6 |
The coarse material fraction was subjected to HLS at various predefined specific gravities starting at an SG of 2.7 and concluding at an SG of 3.3, in incremental SG steps of 0.1. Test work results are summarised in Figures 1 to 4. Where relevant, data is plotted as a function of separating SG or density and therefore curves do not include the effect of the material generated in the floats fraction at a density of 2.7. Cumulative data is recorded from the heavier SG classes proceeding towards the lighter, therefore the cumulative curves should be considered from right to left.
Specification of a cut point at a separating SG of 2.9, results in the production of a concentrate containing a calculated grade of 6.11% Li2O, at a Li2O recovery of 74.85% and an overall product yield or mass recovery of 10.22%.
With reference to previous mineralogical studies completed on the material, the lithium species in the low SG floats is largely in the form of poorly liberated spodumene grains, in addition to less dense lithium species such as petalite and cookeite. The iron containing lithium species zinnwaldite is also likely to be present. Therefore, these species account for much of the total Li2O loss of 25.15% at a separating SG of 2.9.
Scoping Magnetic Separation Test Work Summary
Following the completion of the HLS test work, a concentrate sample was constituted from the various SG faction samples, starting at the floats sample at SG 3 and ending with the sinks sample at SG 3.3. The concentrate sample was subsequently subjected to dry magnetic separation test work, this for the purpose of reducing the iron content in the concentrate. The HLS test work comprised of rougher and cleaner stages. Assays associated with the various fractions are presented in Table 2 below.
The data illustrates that removal of some iron bearing species may be achieved, as evidenced by the decrease in iron grade associated with the feed material, to 0.26% in the cleaner non-magnetic fraction. The decrease in product mass, coupled with minimal loss of lithium bearing material to the magnetic fraction, results in an increase in Li2O grade observed in the non-magnetic fractions
A Photograph of the cleaner stage non-magnetic material is shown in Figure 5. Photographs of the rougher magnetic and cleaner non-magnetic fractions, viewed under a lense, are presented in Figures 6 and 7 respectively.
Table 2: Magnetic separation material fraction Li2O and Fe grades
Material Fraction |
Li2O Grade, % |
Fe Grade, % |
Rougher Feed |
6.848 |
0.83 |
Rougher Non-Magnetics |
7.127 |
0.45 |
Rougher Magnetics |
1.376 |
9.96 |
Cleaner Non-Magnetics |
7.084 |
0.26 |
Rougher Feed (Calculated) |
6.839 |
0.926 |
Chimata is very encouraged with the results seen in this scoping test work campaign and is looking forward to the completion of the ongoing drilling program and completion of further detailed metallurgical test work.
Alain Moreau, P. Geo, director of Chimata, a “qualified person” as defined by NI 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects has approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this press release.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Richard Groome
Chairman and Interim President and CEO
Further information regarding the Company can be found on SEDAR at www.SEDAR.com, or by contacting the Company directly at (604) 674-3145.
This news release may contain forward–looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Particular risks applicable to this press release include risks associated with planned production, including the ability of the company to achieve its targeted production outline due to regulatory, technical or economic factors. In addition, there are risks associated with estimates of resources, and there is no guarantee that a resource will have demonstrated economic viability as necessary to be classified as a reserve. There is no guarantee that additional exploration work will result in significant increases to resource estimates
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