How Did Arizona Lithium Manage to Increase the Prairie Project's Resource to 6.3 Million Tonnes of LCE?

$AZL How Did Arizona Lithium Manage to Increase the Prairie Project's Resource to 6.3 Million Tonnes of LCE?

Arizona Lithium Limited (ASX: AZL, AZLOA, OTC: AZLAF), a leading player in the sustainable development of lithium projects in North America, has recently achieved a significant milestone with the completion of a resource upgrade at its Prairie Lithium Project.

This upgrade has resulted in the total resource estimate for the Prairie Project soaring to an impressive 6.3 million tonnes (MT) of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE), a substantial increase from the previous estimate of 5.7 MT LCE1. These developments underscore the company's commitment to meeting the growing demand for lithium and contribute to the transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.

Resource Breakdown

The new resource estimate of 6.3 MT LCE at Prairie is subdivided into 4.5 MT LCE classified as "Indicated" and 1.8 MT LCE categorized as "Inferred." This substantial resource not only solidifies Prairie's position as one of the most promising lithium brine projects in North America but also demonstrates ... its potential to significantly impact the lithium market.

To put this achievement into perspective, the 6.3 MT of LCE held at Prairie is equivalent to approximately nine years of global LCE consumption in 2022, further emphasizing the project's importance in addressing the surging demand for lithium worldwide.

Lands Acquisition and Strategic Impact

One of the key factors contributing to this resource upgrade is the acquisition of approximately 39,331 net acres (approximately 159 square kilometers) of mineral title interest at the Prairie project. This expansion brought the project's total mineral title interest to over 390,000 acres (approximately 1,578 square kilometers).

This newly acquired land, strategically located around Prairie's existing holdings, has proven to be highly advantageous. It has contributed approximately 600,000 tonnes of LCE to the resource estimate, with roughly 500,000 tonnes classified as "Indicated." The significance of this addition cannot be understated, as it not only strengthens Prairie's resource base but also enhances the project's overall economics.

Pilot Testing Success

The success story at Prairie doesn't end with the resource upgrade. The project's pilot testing phase has been remarkably promising. As of the latest update, pilot testing has yielded an impressive lithium recovery rate of 95.6%, demonstrating the project's efficiency in lithium extraction. Furthermore, the rejection rate of impurities stands at an exceptional 99.9%. These results are a testament to Prairie's potential to become an economically robust venture in the near future.

Notably, sodium concentration in the concentrate has been significantly reduced, from 95,460 mg/L to a mere 61 mg/L, further emphasizing the project's ability to produce high-purity lithium.

Pilot testing is expected to continue into February 2023, with a primary focus on producing concentrate for downstream production of lithium chemicals. Additionally, this phase will determine process capability indexes for lithium recovery and impurity rejection, providing crucial insights into the project's commercial viability.

Preliminary Feasibility Study on Track

Looking ahead, the Prairie Lithium Project remains on track to deliver its Preliminary Feasibility Study (PFS) by the end of December 2023. Early indications from the study suggest that Prairie is well-positioned to be an economically robust project. These findings underscore Arizona Lithium's commitment to delivering sustainable lithium solutions while meeting the ever-increasing global demand.

The resource upgrade at the Prairie Lithium Project, coupled with the impressive results from pilot testing, marks a significant milestone for Arizona Lithium. With a substantial resource base, strategic land acquisitions, and strong economic potential, Prairie is poised to play a pivotal role in the lithium market, meeting the rising demand for clean energy solutions.

As the world transitions toward a more sustainable future, projects like Prairie are essential contributors to achieving a greener, more environmentally responsible energy landscape. Arizona Lithium's dedication to sustainability and innovation positions the company as a major player in the lithium industry's bright future.

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