Azimut and SOQUEM Report Excellent Lithium Recoveries and Grades for Metallurgical Test Samples, Galinée Property, Quebec

Exploration Azimut Inc
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Exploration Azimut Inc
Exploration Azimut Inc

LONGUEIL, Quebec, Oct. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Azimut Exploration Inc. (“Azimut” or the “Company”) (TSXV: AZM) is pleased to report excellent preliminary metallurgical test results for three (3) representative samples of spodumene-bearing pegmatite from the Galinée Property (the “Property”) in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec, Canada. The Property is a joint venture project between Azimut and SOQUEM Inc., with Azimut acting as the operator.

The test program conducted by SGS Canada Inc. included chemical and mineralogical characterization and metallurgical testing. The objective was to obtain baseline recovery data for a Dense Media Separation (DMS) and magnetic separation flowsheet.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • The test program demonstrates excellent lithium recovery through combined DMS and magnetic separation for the three composites (Comp 1 to 3). Lithium recoveries for the three samples are 68%, 79% and 86%, respectively, with spodumene concentrates grading 6.93% Li2O for Comp 1 and 7.10% Li2O for Comp 2 and 3.

  • The production of high-grade spodumene concentrates (over 6.90% Li2O) in the 2.95 sink fraction by Heavy Liquid Separation for all samples significantly exceeds the chemical-grade quality required for hydrometallurgical processing.

Testwork Summary
SGS Canada Inc. conducted the tests in their Quebec City laboratory using three representative composite drill core samples of spodumene-bearing pegmatite. The Li2O composition in the material is 1.16%, 2.07%, and 4.52% for Comp 1, Comp 2, and Comp 3, respectively.

Each composite was stage-crushed to P100 passing 9.5 mm, blended, and submitted for chemical and mineralogical analysis. The remaining material from each composite was screened to 850 μm and riffled into charges for metallurgical testwork.

Head Characterization
The program's primary objective was to characterize the composite samples, with a particular emphasis on lithium mineral characterization. This included (see Table 1 below):

  • Head analysis;

  • Mineralogical analysis;

  • Identification of key impurities; and

  • Mineralogical analysis on Comp 2 using Tescan Integrated Mineral Analyzer (TIMA-X).

These steps are crucial for developing the metallurgical process, as they significantly influence the operating conditions and approach.

Head Analysis: Representative 75-micron pulverized samples were submitted for an ICP scan analysis. The three samples (Comp 1, Comp 2 and Comp 3) were found to contain silica (69.2% to 80.8%), Al2O3 (12.7% to 21.7%), Fe2O3 (0.86% to 1.93%) and Li2O (1.16% to 4.52%).

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