TG Metals’ spodumene recovery flowsheet could deliver revenue through licensing agreements. Pic: Getty Images
- Patent filed for enhanced spodumene recovery using integrated DMS and flotation technology
- Process improves lithium recovery and concentrate quality while reducing processing costs
- TG Metals Tech subsidiary created to commercialise patent through licensing agreements
Special Report: TG Metals has filed a patent application for its technology that materially enhances recovery and quality of spodumene concentrates, and has potential as an additional revenue stream.
If granted, this will secure intellectual property rights for the enhanced metallurgical flowsheet for the recovery of spodumene concentrate from an integrated dense media separation (DMS) and flotation process at the Burmeister deposit.
TG Metals’ (ASX:TG6) flowsheet is a significant enhancement of the application of flotation following the upstream application of DMS technology, resulting in enhanced lithium recovery and quality flotation concentrates.
What’s notable is that the application lays the foundation for future international patent filings and the potential to commercialise through licensing agreements, such as non-exclusive licences and royalty agreements.
“The discovery of this breakthrough process is a game changer for Burmeister,” chief executive officer David Selfe said.
“A determined approach by the TG Metals team has now allowed us to enhance the flotation recovery characteristics of the DMS downstream processing feed.
“Higher overall recoveries translate into lower processing costs and a higher quality concentrate which increases margins.
“The enhanced flowsheet will form the basis of future feasibility studies at Burmeister. An added bonus is the potential to commercialise the patent via licensing agreements.”
Technology development
During the company’s research, it noted the flotation characteristics of spodumene mineralisation from Burmeister pegmatite samples responded poorly under specific DMS operating conditions, resulting in a loss of lithium minerals.
A forensic investigation identified the root cause of this loss of lithium mineralisation and a viable method for restoring the lithium mineral selectivity from other pegmatite constituent minerals such as quartz and feldspars in the flotation process.
Many DMS-only operations produce an unrecovered spodumene fines stream which may be afflicted with poor selectivity under certain conditions.
TG6’s patent application addresses the root cause and provides the remedy for poor selectivity under these conditions.
It produces a high-grade SC6 concentrate from application of DMS and improves recoveries downstream flotation on DMS fines.
This results in overall improved recoveries from a more efficient hybrid DMS/Flotation flowsheet.
A comprehensive flowsheet has been developed providing a systematic outline of each stage and material flow.
Notably, the company believes the hybrid flowsheet can be applied to other operations either with existing hybrid flowsheets or those considering adding a downstream flotation recovery circuit.
A wholly owned subsidiary, TG Metals Tech, has been registered as a vehicle to hold the patent application and facilitate future commercialisation.
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Next step
TG6 will integrate the new technology into future metallurgical research from core samples to be generated from planned drilling.
It will progress the provisional patent application to approved Australian Patent and will progress discussions with third parties to investigate the technology commercialisation opportunities through royalties or non-exclusive licence agreements.
Additionally, the company will use drill results to prepare a maiden resource estimate for the Burmeister lithium deposit within its Lake Johnston project in WA’s Southern Goldfields.
Further advancement of the Lake Johnston project will be achieved through staged technical evaluation activities to support future development decision-making.
This article was developed in collaboration with TG Metals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.
This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
