#United States #Nevada #Rare Earth Elements #Century Lithium #Angel Island

Century Lithium's Rare Earth Advancements at Angel Island

Century Lithium Corp. (TSXV: LCE) has recently shared exciting updates regarding its Angel Island Lithium Project in Nevada. Known for its significant lithium resources, the project may also hold hidden treasures in the form of rare earth elements (REEs). Recent tests of the claystone samples from the site reveal both high concentrations of REEs and excellent recovery rates, suggesting a promising future for this underexplored aspect of the project.

Bill Willoughby, the company’s President and CEO, expressed his enthusiasm for these developments. The analyses indicate that the claystone sample contained 0.024% total rare earth oxides (TREO). More importantly, Century Lithium’s innovative chloride-based chloride leaching process, combined with targeted ion-exchange techniques, allowed for significantly efficient recovery of these valuable elements alongside lithium.

The testing utilized a substantial 500-tonne bulk sample from Angel Island. Results showed lithium levels of 1101 ppm while TREO concentration stood at 239 ppm. Notably, the distribution of REEs consisted of about 75% light rare earth elements and 25% heavy rare earth elements, which is essential for various high-tech applications.

In the lithium leaching process, the sample yielded a solution with lithium concentrations reaching 210 mg/l while TREO concentrations were recorded at 36 mg/l. This indicates an effective synergy between lithium extraction and the recovery of REEs, making the operations at Angel Island strategically advantageous.

Moreover, two types of ion-exchange media tested during the operational phase demonstrated remarkable recovery rates for all REEs, particularly for neodymium, praseodymium, and yttrium, which are crucial in various industries ranging from renewable energy to electronics.

The table below summarizes the results from the ion-exchange recovery tests:

These results contextualize the importance of REE recovery in the rapidly evolving landscape of how minerals are sourced domestically. While a substantial portion of global REE production comes from extensive but lower-grade deposits, the combination of high recovery efficiencies and significant tonnages positions Angel Island as a notable player in this sector. The project's anticipated processing of 2.75 to 5.5 million tonnes of claystone annually further emphasizes the potential impact of REE recovery in augmenting North America's critical mineral supplies.

Though Century Lithium is currently focused on further reserve definition and metallurgical testing, the initial results underscore the strategic relevance of Angel Island, especially in catering to domestic demand for critical minerals. The company's commitment to completing an updated feasibility study and advancing permitting processes remains steadfast. Achieving these milestones is crucial for progressing toward development.

As Century Lithium continues to harness advanced extraction technologies, it remains a front-runner in the lithium market, especially with the expected contribution of sodium hydroxide sales from its innovative chlor-alkali process.

For those tracking advancements in sustainable energy sources and electric vehicle technologies, Century Lithium’s breakthroughs at Angel Island could herald a significant shift in how critical minerals are sourced and utilized.

Stay tuned for further updates from Century Lithium as they continue to build on this exciting momentum at one of the largest sedimentary lithium deposits in the United States.