Ekeko S.A. and Dr.Carlos Sorentino, page-42

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12/07/16

10:00

Post #: 18246971
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Originally posted by Cassandra ↑

Hi Jaymes:

As far as I know, ALL of Rincón has a Li to Mg ratio of about 1 Li to 7.5 to 8.5, with an average of 8 og Mg.

In the natural brines, Mg is present as a chloride. In the conventional process, the addition of lime (calcium oxide, the so called ‘liming’ process) converts the chloride to the insoluble Mg hydroxide that precipitates-out as a gluey, yucky, grey white amorphous mess that can be easily separated from the now Mg-free brine.

About 2.3 tonnes of lime are required for each tonne of Mg, so if there is a 1 to 8 Li to Mg ratio, 8 x 2.3 = 18.4 tonnes of lime are required for each tonne of Li produced.

I don’t know exactly the current price of lime in Salta, but I believe it may be around 120 US$/t, putting the liming cost at about 2500 US$/t of lithium carbonate produced.

Add the other costs and one may be getting in the region of US$ 4000 to 5000 per tonne of product, which must be compared with the forecast long term price of US$8500 per tonne for technical grade lithium carbonate, a not insignificant 40% profit margin on sales.

Of course, other Salares with a lower Li to Mg ratio will be more profitable.

A few more details: (a) liming produces Mg hydroxide that could have a commercial value; (b) there are limestone resources nearby that can be used to produce the lime they may need; and (c) liming is not the only possible route to produce lithium.

Cassandra, qui non crediderunt

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Cassandra, can the lime be reused or at least 50% recycled as it will come back out a by product again and again from the precipitation process??

AGY Price at posting: 3.4¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
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