Monday 28 August 2017

International Lithium Update on Mariana Lithium Brine Project, Argentina: Pumping Test.



LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Please read legal disclaimer. There is no investment advice on this blog. Always consult a qualified financial adviser before any investment decisions. DYOR.


“I would like to thank Xiaoshen and David for their positive contributions to International Lithium. We are pleased to have completed a maiden resource estimate that includes both an indicated and inferred resource estimate, published in a technical report and available at SEDAR http://www.sedar.com. As we no longer have a potential conflict of interest, we are looking forward to working with Xiaoshen and David and building our JV operations with Ganfeng on an arms’ length basis and in the most efficient way, for the benefit of both companies,” stated Kirill Klip, Executive Chairman of International Lithium.



International Lithium's JVs With Ganfeng Lithium Is An Entry Point To A Vertically Integrated Business With An Industry Giant From China. 




International Lithium's (TSXV: ILC) Joint Ventures with Ganfeng Lithium in Argentina and Ireland is an entry point to a vertically integrated lithium business with a USD $6 Billion market cap industry giant from China. ILC's strategy is to build VC Capital in a number of M&A transactions. Construction of ILC Royalty Portfolio is our underlining business model. International Lithium's stake in the Mariana joint venture is of particular interest for OEMs entering into the electric car and lithium battery business looking to secure their long term lithium supply. Read more.
Please contact us to explore this opportunity. Thank you! InternationalLithiumCorp@gmail.com






International Lithium:

International Lithium Update on Mariana Lithium Brine Project, Argentina

Vancouver, B.C. August 28, 2017: International Lithium Corp. (the “Company” or “ILC”) (TSX VENTURE: ILC) is pleased to announce, with JV partner Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd., (“GFL”) and together the “Companies”, an update for the Mariana lithium brine project (the “Project”) located in Salta, Argentina.
Mariana Lithium JV Update
Further to the Company’s news release dated April 10, 2017, announcing a maiden resource estimate for the Mariana lithium brine project, the following activities have been ongoing at the project site as the project advances toward the commencement of preliminary economic and pre-feasibility studies.
On April 25, 2017, the Company was informed by manager of the Mariana Joint Venture that three large evaporation ponds measuring 14 x 14 metres have been constructed at site and filled to 30 centimetres depth with raw brine from Salar de Llullaillaco to conduct large scale evaporation tests and begin the development of a natural evaporation concentration process for the brine. Two smaller ponds that are to be used for the later stages of the brine concentration were also constructed at the site. A field laboratory and liming plant are currently under construction with the field laboratory expected to be completed by the end of August or early September and the liming plant targeted for mid-September.
A series of snow storms in the property region in late May and early June, 2017 seriously impacted access to the site and throughout the district. Access to the camp facilities was limited to 4×4 pickup trucks during this period. Large truck access was restored to the site by July 17, 2017.
Natural evaporation concentration field tests continued through June and July with recorded evaporation rates reported to be low due to the cooler temperatures and the introduction of freshwater into the ponds by snowfall events.
Environmental impact studies were completed in the period and a draft report is expected by the end of August.
Upcoming work consists of geophysical surveys, including electromagnetic surveys to highlight possible freshwater sources and a second phase of gravity surveying to provide a more complete map of the depth of the basin.
Pumping test well MA17-20PW (Figure 1) was drilled to an approximate depth of 232 metres before being placed on hiatus in May due to the winter storms. It will now be completed to its final depth of 256 metres. Pump test results will be reported as they become available.
well-location-map-at-salar-de-llullaillacoFigure 1: Well location map at Salar de Llullaillaco.
Community relations continue to form an integral part of the site work. Additionally, ILC is informed that the vetting process for the first feasibility study to be conducted on the project is nearing completion with the goal to begin preliminary economic studies later this year.
Afzaal Pirzada, Geological Consultant of the Company, and a “Qualified Person” for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.



Other News
 The Company also announces that directors, Xiaoshen Wang and David Shen have resigned from the board of directors.
“I would like to thank Xiaoshen and David for their positive contributions to International Lithium. We are pleased to have completed a maiden resource estimate that includes both an indicated and inferred resource estimate, published in a technical report and available at SEDAR http://www.sedar.com. As we no longer have a potential conflict of interest, we are looking forward to working with Xiaoshen and David and building our JV operations with Ganfeng on an arms’ length basis and in the most efficient way, for the benefit of both companies,” stated Kirill Klip, Executive Chairman of International Lithium.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Kirill Klip
Executive Chairman
 For further information concerning this news release please contact +1 604-700-8912
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information or forward-looking statements in this news release include: the timing and anticipated results of environmental impact studies and pump tests, timing of preliminary economic studies on the Mariana project, the expectation of feasibility studies, timing of completion of a laboratory and plant, and the Company’s continued ownership in the Mariana, Mavis and Raleigh projects. Such forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those discussed in the sections entitled “Risks” and “Forward-Looking Statements” in the interim and annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis which are available at www.sedar.com. While management believes that the assumptions made are reasonable, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking information. Forward-looking information herein, and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on expectations, estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the time of such statements, are subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions may prove to be incorrect and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information should circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions change."

Green Energy Metals Royalty Company: TNR Gold Provides Update Of Activities.



LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Please read legal disclaimer. There is no investment advice on this blog. Always consult a qualified financial adviser before any investment decisions. DYOR.







TNR Gold:

TNR Gold Provides Update Of Activities.

"Vancouver B.C. August 28, 2017:  TNR Gold Corp. (TSX-V: TNR) (“TNR” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce an update of activities and vision for the coming months.
Last year we began taking measures to improve our balance sheet and maintain TNR’s portfolio of assets. Senior management and directors accepted a 40% cut of debt owed to them from the Company and a more than a 50% reduction in management fees. Certain debts to former management were settled with TNR’s shareholdings in International Lithium Corp., issued at $0.20 cents per share, higher than the market price at the time of issue.
In order to conserve cash and prevent shareholder dilution at the currently undervalued share price, management and directors have agreed to forego their fees until there is improvement in the market performance and financial condition of the Company. In particular, management is focused on preserving the Company’s assets while carefully managing the Company’s liquidity and disposing the absolute minimum of any of our liquid assets.
Management and the Board’s belief is that an era of “Energy rEVolution” has begun, and the electrification of transportation coupled with a global push for carbon-neutral energy supplies will lead to a demand for energy metals like lithium and copper. Our company is well positioned to participate in this market trend and with that, TNR is working towards becoming a green energy metals royalty company.
TNR now has a talented dedicated team to build our portfolio of assets in order to capitalize on the current investment trends. Increasing electrification of transportation and the energy sectors are expected to boost the demand for critical commodities and energy metals. Our assets allow us to participate in these opportunities and build the Company for the benefit of all stakeholders.
Los Azules Copper Project Royalty
TNR, through its lead generator business model, has been successful in generating high quality exploration projects in the Americas and Europe. Utilizing management’s expertise, the Company resources and industry network, TNR identified the project portfolio of International Lithium Corp. (TSXV: ILC) and identified the potential of the Los Azules copper project in Argentina at an early stage of exploration. TNR now holds a 0.36% NSR royalty on the Los Azules prospect.
In a news release dated May 15, 2013 in relation to the Los Azules copper project in San Juan Province, Argentina. McEwen Mining Inc. summarizes an updated resource estimate completed on the property. In its press release, McEwen Mining reports an indicated resource estimate of 389,000,000 tonnes with 0.63% copper and an inferred resource of 1,397,000,000 tonnes at 0.46% copper at a cutoff grade of 0.35% copper. Details regarding the manner in which the resource estimate was calculated are available under the profile of McEwen Mining at SEDAR http://www.sedar.com.  Further details on the project and the work performed on it can be found in the technical report titled, “Los Azules Porphyry Copper Project, San Juan Province, Argentina” dated August 1, 2012, prepared by D. Ernest Winkler, P.Eng., Robert Sim, P.Geo., Bruce Davis, PhD, FAusIMM and James K. Duff, P.Geo., and press releases issued by McEwen Mining, which can be found on SEDAR.
McEwen Mining’s press releases and website material appear to be prepared by Qualified Persons and the procedures, methodology and key assumptions disclosed therein are those adopted and consistently applied in the mining industry, but no Qualified Person engaged by TNR Gold Corp. has done sufficient work to analyze, interpret, classify or verify McEwen Mining’s information to determine the current mineral reserve or resource or other information referred to in their press releases. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned in placing any reliance on the disclosures therein.
In a news release dated May 4, 2017, McEwen Mining (“MM”) further reported on Los Azules; “We spent $6.3 million at the Los Azules project on a combination of infill and exploration drilling, significant advances were made in determining the best logistics, power and infrastructure options and further economic and engineering modeling of the production. Results from the drilling campaign are expected to be finalized during the second half of 2017.” Another MM News release dated August 2, 2017, reported, “During Q2 2017 we spent $0.8 million at the Los Azules project, primarily on finalizing the 2017 drilling campaign initiated in Q1. We are currently preparing a new Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA), which is expected in the third quarter of 2017.”
Argentina business is expanding with its newly elected administration creating policies that are favorable for foreign investment and resource development. Rising copper prices are also helping to drive renewed interest in copper projects like Los Azules.
TNR’s strategy with the Los Azules royalty holdings is to attract a strong financial partner and sell a portion of the NSR to eliminate the long-term debt of the Company.
During the first part of this year TNR created a new marketing strategy, updated its website and enhanced marketing materials. The project has been presented to the industry’s community, attracting increased interest in Los Azules as TNR works towards forming a strong partnership through a staged transaction connected to the milestones achieved by the Los Azules copper project.

Mariana Lithium Project Royalty
TNR holds a significant shareholding interest (15%) in International Lithium Corp. (“ILC”), a green energy metals company that was created through the spinout of TNR’s energy metals portfolio in 2011.  ILC holds interests in lithium projects in Argentina, Ireland and Canada.
TNR retains a 1.8% NSR royalty on the Mariana lithium property in Argentina. ILC has a right to repurchase 1.0% of the NSR. On exercise of the repurchase right, TNR would receive $900,000. The project is being advanced in a joint venture between ILC and Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd., a leading lithium product manufacturer seeking to secure its raw materials supply.
Shotgun Gold project
TNR provides significant exposure to gold through its 90% holding in the Shotgun gold porphyry project in Alaska. The project is located in South-Western Alaska near the Donlin Gold project.  Alaska’s attractiveness is rising according to the investment index of the Fraser institute’s “Annual Survey of Mining Companies”.
TNR published a resource estimate on the Shotgun in 2013. TNR reported an inferred resource of 20,734,313 tonnes at 1.06 grams per tonne (“g/t”) gold for a total of 705,960 ounces gold (“Au”) using a 0.5 g/t Au cut-off grade (news release issued on April 22, 2013 and technical report titled, “Technical Report on the Shotgun Gold Project”, dated May 27, 2013 and filed on SEDAR).
The Company’s strategy with Shogun is to attract investment on a private equity basis to advance the project. Once the project has demonstrated increased potential for advanced exploration activities the aim is to identify a joint venture with one of the gold major mining companies.  The Company is actively introducing the project to interested parties.
Afzaal Pirzada, Geological Consultant of the Company, and a “Qualified Person” for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.


ABOUT TNR GOLD Corp.

TNR Gold Corp. is working to become an energy metals royalty company. Over the past twenty-two years, TNR, through its lead generator business model, has been successful in generating high quality exploration projects around the globe. With the Company’s expertise, resources and industry network, it identified the potential of the Los Azules copper project in Argentina and now holds a 0.36% NSR on the prospect.
TNR is also a major shareholder of International Lithium Corp. (“ILC”), with current holdings of approximately 15% of the outstanding shares of ILC. ILC holds interests in lithium projects in Argentina, Ireland and Canada.
TNR retains a 1.8% NSR on the Mariana property in Argentina. ILC maintains a right to repurchase 1.0% of the NSR on the Mariana property of which 0.9% relates to the Company’s NSR interest. The Company would receive $900,000 on execution of the repurchase. The project is currently being advanced in a joint venture between ILC and Ganfeng Lithium International Co. Ltd.
At its core, TNR provides significant exposure to gold and copper through its holdings in Alaska (the Shotgun gold porphyry project) and Argentina, and is committed to continued generation of in-demand projects, while diversifying its markets and building shareholder value.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Kirill Klip
Executive Chairman
For further information concerning this news release please contact +1 604-700-8912
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as “plan”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “will”, “could” and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “could” occur, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Specifically, forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements made in relation to: TNR’s corporate objectives, changes in share capital, market conditions for energy commodities, and improvements in the financial performance of the Company. Such forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those discussed in the sections entitled “Risks” and “Forward-Looking Statements” in the Company’s interim and annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis which are available under the Company’s profile on www.sedar.com. While management believes that the assumptions made and reflected in this news release are reasonable, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking information. In particular, there can be no assurance that: TNR will be repay its loans or complete any further royalty acquisitions or sales; debt or other financing will be available to TNR; or that TNR will be able to achieve any of its corporate objectives. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements included herein are not guarantees of future performance, and such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied on.
In formulating the forward-looking statements contained herein, management has assumed that business and economic conditions affecting TNR and its royalty partners, McEwen Mining Inc. and International Lithium Corp. or its joint venture partner, Ganfeng Lithium International Co. Ltd. will continue substantially in the ordinary course, including without limitation with respect to general industry conditions, general levels of economic activity and regulations. These assumptions, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect.
Forward-looking information herein and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information should circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions change."

International Lithium: Argentinian Lithium Brine Project, Vertically Integrated JV With Ganfeng Lithium, One Of The Top Five Lithium Producers In The World.


LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Please read legal disclaimer. There is no investment advice on this blog. Always consult a qualified financial adviser before any investment decisions. DYOR.


International Lithium's JVs With Ganfeng Lithium Is An Entry Point To A Vertically Integrated Business With An Industry Giant From China.



International Lithium's (TSXV: ILC) Joint Ventures with Ganfeng Lithium in Argentina and Ireland is an entry point to a vertically integrated lithium business with a USD $6 Billion market cap industry giant from China. ILC's strategy is to build VC Capital in a number of M&A transactions. Construction of ILC Royalty Portfolio is our underlining business model. International Lithium's stake in the Mariana joint venture is of particular interest for OEMs entering into the electric car and lithium battery business looking to secure their long term lithium supply. Read more.
Please contact us to explore this opportunity. Thank you! InternationalLithiumCorp@gmail.com







Metals News:

International Lithium Corp. (TSX-V: ILC}: Argentinian Lithium Brine Project, Vertically Integrated Joint Venture with Ganfeng Lithium, One of the Top Five Lithium Producers in the World, Interview with Kirill Klip, Executive Chairman

 
on 8/26/2017 
International Lithium Corp. (TSX-V: ILC) is a lithium resource developer with a diversified global portfolio of lithium assets who's current focus is the Mariana lithium brine project located in Argentina within the renowned South American “Lithium Belt” that is the host to the vast majority of global lithium resources, reserves and production. We learned from Kirill Klip, Executive Chairman of International Lithium, that the Mariana lithium brine project is a vertically integrated joint venture with Ganfeng Lithium, one of the top five lithium producers in the world. According to Mr. Klip, International Lithium projects in Argentina, Canada and Ireland show impressive results, and the stockholders will benefit from its experienced technical team, from the company's deep financial connections, from it's capable joint venture partners, and from a diverse portfolio consisting of both hard rock lithium spodumene projects and lithium brine “salar” projects in different parts of the world.


Mariana Lithium brine project

Dr. Allen Alper: This is Dr. Allen Alper, Editor-in-Chief of Metals News, interviewing Kirill Klip Chairman, President and CEO of International Lithium. Kirill, could you update our readers/investors on what's currently happening with International Lithium and give us an overview of the company?

Mr. Kirill Klip: Thank you very much, I'm very interested in talking with you today because we have some very impressive results for the first half of this year. We have joint venture operations with one of the largest companies in the lithium sector, Ganfeng Lithium, from China. This year they have had a very dramatic rise in share price and have a $6 billion market cap in US dollars.

Our joint venture in Argentina, known as the Mariana project, has delivered a resource estimate and corresponding NI43-101 technical report, available on SEDAR. According to the current resource calculation, there are 1.25 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) contained within the brine at Mariana in the indicated resource category. There is also an additional 618,000 tonnes of LCE in the inferred resource category, and our total exploration target is for up to 4 million tonnes of LCE, making this one of the largest lithium salars in the world with a resource estimate. Some people here in London are already calling it the fifth largest lithium brine system in the world.

We also have two joint ventures with an Australian company called Pioneer Resources, the Mavis and the Raleigh projects in western Ontario. We recently completed a drilling campaign on the Mavis project and have reported some good intersections with high grade lithium values in the core. We confirmed historical mineralization and found a new pegmatite with drill intercepts (not true width)including 7.7 meters of almost 3% lithium oxide, 23 meters of over 1% lithium oxide and 26 meters of 1.7% lithium oxide.

I have built a very strong team at International Lithium and diversified the expertise of our board. John Wisbey, a top financial professional here in London, particularly in banking and with a lot of connections in Asia, has joined our board and recently became Deputy Chairman. We both have participated in the recent financing of our company.



Dr. Allen Alper: Sounds excellent. Sounds like you're making excellent progress since we last talked. Could you tell me a bit more about your plans going forward for the rest of the year into 2018?

Mr. Kirill Klip: Yes, as you know, we had a lot of very exciting news in the lithium sector last week. The lithium price is dramatically increasing; particularly in the Chinese market and now more and more lithium mega factories, to produce lithium batteries, are being built. So our development is definitely following this trend anticipating that lithium will be in high demand and as a result, we are accelerating our development program.

We are coming out of a couple of slow months due to harsh weather conditions in Argentina, but our partner informs us that things are moving full speed ahead with the pre-feasibility studies at the Mariana project. Proposed work includes a pumping test, continued natural evaporation concentration of the brine, operational studies and environmental impact assessment. We will have a lot of development in Argentina in the coming months. Also, we are studying potential alternative ways to increase the efficiency of the operations and we should have results on a membrane technology study that can extract lithium hydroxide directly from our brine at Mariana.



In Canada, as you know, we are building our Upper Canada pool of projects. At the moment we have three projects in Ontario: Mavis Lake, Raleigh Lake and Forgan Lake. Two of these projects are in joint ventures with Pioneer Resources from Australia. We have delivered very impressive drilling results from Mavis Lake. Now our partners are preparing a follow up program in order to extend the drilling campaign, particularly at the new found pegmatite on Mavis Lake. They are aiming to drill the project this fall and then move to start drilling on Raleigh Lake and hopefully expand the potential of this project. So we will have a very busy second half of this year as well.



Dr. Allen Alper: Sounds good. What are your thoughts on the lithium market, the auto industry, battery industry, how they are progressing?

Mr. Kirill Klip: Yes, this year has been very busy in our lithium sector, but the last couple of months were the most exciting. I am based in London and in London it was announced that, from 2040 on, all new cars will be electric, so there will be no petrol or diesel cars sold in the UK anymore after 2040. But even this significant move into the green technologies, in order to cut pollution in our cities, might not be enough because more and more top financial institutions are talking about all cars being electric much sooner than people currently think.

For example, IMF just recently published a study on the energy transition from oil, where they are estimating it is possible that electric cars will replace all internal combustion powered cars within the next 15 to 25 years. Based on that, more and more analysts have started to make very high forecasts for lithium demand. Bloomberg is now talking about a very large increase in lithium demand by 2040, as high as 100-fold. In my personal estimation, if we follow the international energy agency’s projections, for about 600 million electric cars to be on the road by 2040, considered the minimum number needed to keep temperature rise below 2%, we will need to mine 36 million tons of LCE by 2040.

There are now 17 so called Megafactories being built around the world. One of them, maybe the most famous is the Tesla gigafactory being built in Nevada. Elon Musk is now talking about another two, or three Gigafactories (to be announced later this year) to be built all over the world and then maybe another two or three in the United States. But there are also a lot of other players building lithium Megafactories now; companies like CATL in China, Foxconn, BYD, and LG Chem. There are estimates that more than 20 billion dollars is being invested now in lithium mega-factories all over the world.

We just had news that another huge lithium battery plant will be built in Germany, which will try to match the scale of the Tesla gigafactory. We can already see a constrained lithium supply. Prices in Shanghai are as high as 20 thousand dollars per ton of lithium carbonate and as high as 23 thousand for lithium hydroxide. Our strategic partner, Ganfeng Lithium bought a very significant stake in Lithium Americas in January and now they are developing the Cauchari-Olaroz project together with Lithium Americas and SQM in Argentina. SQM itself just bought 50 percent of Kidman resources. They are known as one of the largest lithium brine producers in the world. The largest lithium brine producer from Chile is moving into hard rock mining in Australia.

Tianqi is building a new lithium hydroxide plant literally on top of the lithium mine, in Australia. Ganfeng Lithium will put in another lithium hydroxide plant with a twenty thousand ton capacity in China. So we have a very fierce competition now among lithium’s top five. They are becoming face to face competitors. For example, this June there was a very significant industry announcement when SQM stopped shipping raw concentrated lithium brine to Ganfeng. They would like to sell more and more advanced chemicals. So the security of their lithium supply is most important for all these very fast-growing companies. This is where our joint ventures like Mariana, are coming into play for International Lithium.

Dr. Allen Alper: Sounds very exciting. Sounds like things are moving very fast and there's a real need for more and more lithium for all these factories.

Mr. Kirill Klip: This is true, yes.

Dr. Allen Alper: Could you tell me a bit about your share structure?

Mr. Kirill Klip: Yes, of course. Our structure is not very complex. With total shares issued at around 90 million shares we have fully diluted 100 million, but all the stock is very tightly held among our strategic investors, among which is Ganfeng Lithium, who holds 17% in our company now. TNR Gold our holding company, holds 15%, I personally hold just under 10% and together with management and insiders we are holding 46% of our shares issued and outstanding.



Dr. Allen Alper: Sounds very good! What are the primary reasons our high-net-worth readers/investors should consider investing in International Lithium?

Mr. Kirill Klip: I think the primary reasons will be that we have very strong joint venture operations with Ganfeng Lithium, one of the top five lithium producers in the world and the two lithium integrated producers in China. Basically we are developing our joint venture projects for our vertically integrated lithium business plan, from the very beginning. We are aiming to produce a particular specification of lithium chemical to be used for the already established operations by our partner Ganfeng Lithium. But lastly our projects are located in the hotspots of lithium development in the world. We have our Mariana joint venture operations in Argentina, with very significant exploration. Now we are moving into the advanced exploration stage and to pilot stage and feasibility studies over there. We have a very big land package over 50 kilometers in Ireland where we are moving into testing of 23 defined exploration targets.



We have very impressive results at Mavis Lake, where we confirmed our historical mineralization. This project is located in Canada. This fall we will be moving towards drilling another project called Raleigh Lake. Together these two projects are building our Upper Canada pool of projects where we are aiming for potential high grade mineralization, over a smaller project, like a cluster of projects, which we can combine and potentially start producing lithium concentrate at one central concentration plant.

Our stock holders will benefit from a very strong technical team, from our deep financial connections, from our very strong joint venture partners in geographical diversification, plus we have both spodumene and brine lithium projects as well.

Dr. Allen Alper: Sounds excellent!

http://internationallithium.com/

Suite 1100, 1111 Melville Street,
Vancouver, British Columbia,
V6E 3V6,
Phone: +1 604-700-8912
Fax: +1 604-484-7143
info@internationallithium.com"



Sunday 27 August 2017

TNR Gold: Shotgun Gold Project, Alaska. Presentation June 2017.


The Shotgun Gold Project is an advanced-stage exploration prospect in southwestern Alaska.  TNR Gold Corp. (“TNR”) owns 90% of the Shotgun Gold Project consisting of a total of 108 claims covering an area of 6,993 hectares (17,280 acres).
The Shotgun Gold Project is located in southwestern Alaska approximately 150 km north of Dillingham and 190 km south of the Donlin Gold Project.



Green Energy Metals Royalty Co.: TNR Gold Investor Presentation June 2017.


LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Please read legal disclaimer. There is no investment advice on this blog. Always consult a qualified financial adviser before any investment decisions. DYOR.


Green Energy Metals Royalty Company: TNR Gold Deputy Chairman Buys 7.49 Million Shares.






Kirill Klip, the Company’s Executive Chairman commented, “I welcome John Wisbey as an active member of our team and the TNR Board. TNR is working to become an energy metals royalty company. We are advancing strategic market opportunities for our royalty holdings in McEwen Mining’s Los Azules Copper project in Argentina as well as other royalties in strategic commodities such as lithium, and our strategic stakes in the Shotgun Gold investment project. The Company will be expanding its reach in overseas markets such as London in order to facilitate the active management of its projects portfolio. John will oversee the Company’s capital market operations and strategic transactions.”






TNR Gold - Rob McEwen: "Los Azules Copper Represents The Single Biggest Value Creator Currently In Our Portfolio."




We have another update on giant Los Azules Copper project progress in Argentina from McEwen Mining Q2 Earnings Call. These extracts are from Seeking Alpha transcript:


"Rob McEwen: Our large Los Azules copper project has advanced significantly and we will be releasing in September a new preliminary economic assessment and it will show that we have significantly lowered the CapEx and improved the economics. While we're intensely focused on being a precious metal company, I strongly believe that Los Azules represents the single biggest value creator currently in our portfolio.
CFO: Secondly, at our Los Azules copper project in Argentina, we are in the process of completing the updated PEA and the results should be announced later in the third quarter. With the completion of the seasonal drill campaign, we have seen a drastic reduction in our expenditures there.
President & COOAt the Los Azules project also in Argentina, during the second quarter we dedicated ourselves to complete up work to the field campaign completed during the first quarter of the year which focused on supergene, high grade, enrichment zone definition and improving it's continuity. The results obtained from drilling are now being used to refine our understanding of the deposit. 
Engineering work continued to define our project configuration, mine plants and infrastructure, which will be reflected in the new preliminary economic assessment, on track to be finalized in the third quarter of this year." Read more.



Another very good news for the project:

Argentina and Chile to resume a 20-year-old treaty that opens the borders between two countries to mining projects.

 

McEwen Mining AGM 2017 presentation.


Please Note that TNR Gold Qualified Person - as it is defined by NI 43-101, was NOT able to Verify and Confirm Any Provided Information by The Third Parties; you must NOT rely in any sense on any of this information in order to make any Resource or Value Calculation, or attribute any particular Value or Price Target to any Discussed Securities.




Saturday 26 August 2017

Lithium Hydroxide Production From Brine: Effective Separation Of Lithium From Contaminants By Membrane Technology.



Lithium Hydroxide Production From Brine: Effective Separation Of Lithium From Contaminants By Membrane Technology.

Kirill Klip, Executive Chairman International Lithium Corp.


We are talking here a lot about the new groundbreaking technologies for electric cars and lithium batteries. Now it is time to consider the most advanced technologies for the production of lithium as a raw material. The increasing usage of lithium batteries is driving the demand for lithium as a raw material and new extraction technologies will provide the technological advantage to the most progressive companies investing in the future.

My lower estimate for future demand is that 36 million tonnes of LCE (Lithium Carbonate Equivalent) must be produced by 2040 in order to meet the IEA's target for the 600 million electric cars necessary to keep global temperature increase below 2%. However, over 100 million tonnes of LCE will be needed if all new cars are to be electric by 2040, this being one of IMF's scenarios for the future. Now let's just start adding here the Energy Storage for Solar and Wind Power Generation.

Our starting point for electric cars is just over 1% of total auto sales in the world and only 200,000 tonnes of LCE produced in 2016. The dramatic increase in demand for lithium will require accelerated production from all known reserves of lithium and new resources will need to be found and put into production, this being crucial to the Energy rEVolution.

At International Lithium, we are very interested in processes developed for the recovery of Lithium Hydroxide directly from brine. Lithium Hydroxide is the highly sought strategic commodity which is used in lithium batteries as Tesla and Panasonic are doing for example at Tesla Gigafactory





The Conventional process of lithium production from brine.


The conventional process of lithium production from brines is explained very well here. Basically, you are building a number of evaporation pools (very expensive process) where the brine is pumped from the salar and natural evaporation take place with the help of an addition of chemical reagents. This process concentrates and separates lithium, potassium and other products from chemical contaminants dissolved in the brine. The normal product of this process is Lithium Carbonate and all these processes involve relatively high CAPEX and difficulty in increasing production quickly.




Membrane technology has been discussed in the industry for years and so far only a few pilot projects are under construction or undergoing early testing. Posco has been talking about its "famous black box" for years and only this year is putting its pilot plant into operation. Symbol was trying to recover lithium from thermal brines and "hot heads" are talking about sea water as a source for lithium as well. The most dangerous words in mining are "The New Technology", this is why so many juniors are going on the well-known path of conventional production; but those juniors who have the vision to develop and use new technologies like Membrane based technology appropriately will benefit enormously with dramatically reduced CAPEX, OPEX and ability to produce Lithium Hydroxide directly from brine using membrane based technology. The new developments are promising much faster road to production with an increased rates of recovery and production.





The most important will be to have a lithium brine project which is already known to contain a significant resource and a specifically developed Membrane Technology which can allow the improved extraction of lithium, potassium and other commercially viable products. A number of companies are developing this technology: Eramet, Neometals and Pure Energy are just a few. The new types of membranes which will allow the most optimal combination of the high rate of lithium recovery and high rate of production are the most sought after. Today we can study one of the new approaches described in "Lithium Ion Extraction" article presented by "Chemistry Views" which promise "effective separation of Lithium from Contaminants" on the way to "selectively extracting the lithium ions from salt lakes brines with a truly economical, environmentally benign and efficient method."   


Mariana Lithium: Joint Venture between Ganfeng Lithium and International Lithium.




International Lithium's JVs With Ganfeng Lithium Is An Entry Point To A Vertically Integrated Business With An Industry Giant From China. 




International Lithium's (TSXV: ILC) Joint Ventures with Ganfeng Lithium in Argentina and Ireland is an entry point to a vertically integrated lithium business with a USD $6 Billion market cap industry giant from China. ILC's strategy is to build VC Capital in a number of M&A transactions. Construction of ILC Royalty Portfolio is our underlining business model. International Lithium's stake in the Mariana joint venture is of particular interest for OEMs entering into the electric car and lithium battery business looking to secure their long term lithium supply. Read more.
Please contact us to explore this opportunity. Thank you! InternationalLithiumCorp@gmail.com






Chemistry Views:


  • ChemPubSoc Europe Logo
  • Author: Angewandte Chemie International Edition
  • Published Date: 02 November 2016
  • Source / Publisher: Angewandte Chemie International Edition/Wiley-VCH
  • Copyright: Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

  • Effective Separation of Lithium from Contaminants

    "The increasing usage of lithium for batteries or high-performance metals requires improved extraction techniques of lithium from primary sources such as salt lake brines. Chinese scientists have designed a solid composite membrane that combines the mimicking of the chemical selection process in biological ion channels with molecular sieve technology. In the journal Angewandte Chemie, they report the effective and fast separation of lithium ions from brines with that membrane.

    Lithium is an earth-abundant element, but it usually coexists with the chemically very similar elements sodium, magnesium, and potassium. Although a variety of techniques have been attempted to selectively extract the lithium ions from salt lake brines, a truly economical, environmentally benign, selective, and efficient method is still elusive.




    Polymer/MOF Composite Membrane

    Xinsheng Peng and Banglin Chen, Zhejiang University of Hangzhou, China, and University of Texas at San Antonio, USA, have investigated a combined selection process by both chemical affinity and molecular sieving. Their separating membrane consisted of a functionalized linear polymer integrated in a porous metal organic framework, and they obtained excellent lithium ion conductivity with the retention of interfering ions.

    For a basic membrane material, the scientists employed the metal–organic framework HKUST-1, which through its porosity is a molecular sieve, blocking out larger contaminants. For the lithium affinity selection, they integrated polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) into the solid network, which is an organic linear polymer bearing functional groups known for their excellent conductivity for lithium ions compared to other ions. "Their ionic conductivity ratios between different cations are typically considered as the ideal separation factors," the scientists state.




    Combining Molecular Sieving with Chemical Selection

    The PSS polymer was interwoven in the HKUST-1 scaffold by a two-step process: firstly it was firmly assembled with the HKUST-1 precursor, then the composite was converted into the final PSS@HKUST-1 membrane. The produced composite solid membrane thus combined the molecular sieving characteristics with chemical selection functionality.

    The scientists indeed reported an outstanding selectivity for lithium over the related ions sodium, potassium, and magnesium, and a fast lithium ion flux. The size-exclusion effect by the porous framework membrane only allows the small ions to pass, barring other contaminants, such as heavy metals. The approach could be universally adopted. The researchers propose that it "can be applied to other polymer-functionalized MOF-based membranes." There are good prospects for more effective lithium separation from salt lakes."