Lithium South Developing High-Value Alternatives in Lithium Production

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Lithium South Development announces successful completion of advanced lithium production test work in Argentina, showcasing potential for high-value products.

VANCOUVER, B.C., April 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lithium South Development Corporation (the "Company" or "Lithium South") (TSX-V: LIS) (OTCQB: LISMF) (Frankfurt: OGPQ) is pleased to announce the successful completion of a series of advanced test work aimed at exploring alternative lithium production methods, to potentially enhance the value of its Hombre Muerto Norte project ("HMN Li Project") in Argentina.

Approximately 20,000 liters of representative brine samples from the Tramo well underwent evaporation and liming testwork at the Hombre Muerto North site. Further detailed laboratory-scale test work was conducted at Eon Minerals LLC's ("Eon") Laboratory in Salta, Argentina. Chemical analyses were completed by Eon and verified by SGS Argentina S.A., SGS Canada Inc., and Alex Stewart Laboratories, all I.S.O. Certified Laboratories. All test work was conducted under the supervision of Alex Mezei, P. Eng. and a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101.

The company explored two innovative process options, combining on-site evaporation with laboratory-scale tests using the Tramo claim brine. The first option yielded a super-concentrated Lithium Chloride (LiCl) brine containing 6% lithium content by mass, demonstrating a cumulative lithium recovery of 67% after pre-concentration and concentration evaporation stages.

In the second option, Lithium South successfully produced a bulk lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃) product, showing potential for purification to battery grade quality. This route, integrating boron solvent extraction, achieved an overall lithium extraction efficiency of 60%. Subsequent purification tests conducted by SGS Canada Inc. indicated that the bulk lithium carbonate product achieved purity levels ranging from 99.4% to 99.5%, approaching the desired battery grade specification. The lithium carbonate purity reported herein is defined based on the difference versus both the 'Sum of impurities' and 'Loss of ignition at 550°C'.

While the primary plan remains to produce Li₂CO₃ technical grade with a 70% efficiency, using the industry proven evaporation technique, these test results demonstrate Lithium South's capability to adapt and potentially shift towards higher value products. The company is excited about the flexibility these alternatives offer, which could significantly enhance the project's value without altering the current production strategy.

"Exploring these innovative production methods allows us to future-proof our project and potentially tap into more lucrative markets," said Adrian F. C. Hobkirk, Founder and CEO of Lithium South. "We are thrilled by these test results, which affirm our capability to produce high-purity lithium compounds efficiently. While we remain focused on our primary production target, these successful tests provide us with valuable flexibility and a potential edge in the market."

Lithium South Development remains committed to advancing its HMN Li Project, leveraging both traditional and innovative methods to ensure sustainable, efficient, and high-quality lithium production.

About Lithium South

Lithium South owns 100% of the HMN Lithium Project located in Salta and Catamarca Provinces, Argentina, in the heart of the lithium triangle. The Salar del Hombre Muerto has a history of lithium production, with Arcadium Lithium (as a result of the Alkem and Livent merger) in operation for over twenty-five years, in an area just south of the HMN Lithium Project. The HMN Lithium Project is surrounded by a US$4 billion lithium development under construction by POSCO (Korea) and the Sal de Vida Project under development by Arcadium. Exploration work to date has delineated a National Instrument 43-101 compliant 1,583,200 tonne Lithium Carbonate Equivalent ("LCE") Resource (Note 1) on the Alba Sabrina, Natalia Maria, and Tramo claim blocks , three of five non-contiguous blocks that make up the HMN Lithium Project. A recent Preliminary Economic Assessment announced on March 04, 2024 and with report to follow, delineates the exciting potential of the 15,600 tonne per year lithium carbonate project. With pumping well installation underway, Lithium South is transitioning from being a lithium explorer to becoming a lithium developer.

This news release was reviewed and approved by Mr. Alex Mezei, P.Eng., a Qualified Person, for the purposes of NI 43-101, and technical consultant to the Company. Mr. Mezei, participated in the production of this news release and approved of the scientific disclosure contained herein.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Adrian F. C. Hobkirk
President and Chief Executive Officer
Investors / Shareholders call 855-415-8100 / website: www.lithiumsouth.com 

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed the content of this news release and therefore does not accept responsibility or liability for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this news release

Note 1: A report titled Updated Mineral Resource Estimate – Hombre Muerto North Project, NI 43-101 Technical Report Catamarca and Salta, Argentina, Mark King, PhD, PGeo, Peter Ehren, M.Sc, MAusIMM, September 5th, 2023.

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward- looking statements. We seek safe harbor.

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SOURCE Lithium South Development Corporation

What is the ticker symbol for Lithium South Development ?

The ticker symbol for Lithium South Development is LISMF.

Where was the advanced test work for lithium production conducted?

The advanced test work for lithium production was conducted at the Hombre Muerto Norte project in Argentina.

What were the results of the first innovative process option explored by the company?

The first option yielded a super-concentrated Lithium Chloride (LiCl) brine containing 6% lithium content by mass, with a cumulative lithium recovery of 67%.

What was the overall lithium extraction efficiency of the second process option?

The second process option achieved an overall lithium extraction efficiency of 60%.

What were the purity levels of the bulk lithium carbonate product produced by Lithium South?

The bulk lithium carbonate product achieved purity levels ranging from 99.4% to 99.5%, approaching battery grade quality.

Who supervised the test work conducted by Lithium South?

The test work was supervised by Alex Mezei, P. Eng., a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101.