Rodinia Lithium Inc. Successfully Harvests Sylvinite on Site at Diablillos
- Pilot Processing Confirms Effective Removal of Sylvinite in an Isolated Pond Using Conventional Evaporation Based Processing
- Evaporation Cycle of Initial Pan Pilot Test Series Complete Confirming Initial Portion of the Metallurgical Process Described in Preliminary Economic Assessment
TORONTO, 05/14/12 - Rodinia Lithium Inc. ("Rodinia" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: RM) (OTCQX: RDNAF) is pleased to report that sylvinite has been successfully produced and harvested at the Company's 100% owned Diablillos lithium-potash brine project ("Project" or "Salar" or "Diablillos") in Salta, Argentina. Sylvinite, a potash and sodium chloride, has been harvested during operation of the pilot engineering program being conducted on site. The results of the brine geochemical development during this pilot cycle was within the Company's expectations and offers significant confirmation of the initial portion of the metallurgical process described in the Company's Preliminary Economic Assessment conducted on Diablillos dated December 22, 2011 and filed on the SEDAR profile of the Company at www.sedar.com (the "PEA").
William Randall, Rodinia's President& CEO, commented, "Having harvested sylvinite during the regular operation of our pilot engineering program is a major milestone for the Company. We remain confident that these results confirm our ability to produce potash from Diablillos using conventional methods employed by other major brine producers in South and North America. This asset continues to meet our targeted milestones as we advance towards feasibility and production."
This initial result from the pilot engineering program is from the first series of solar evaporation tests at ambient conditions of the Salar. The evaporation was started May 2011 and concluded in April 2012. The first series is one of five evaporation tests in progress. Each test in pools and pans were started at different times of the year to see the effect of weather on the evaporation cycle chemistry. The resultant brine from these evaporation tests will subsequently be processed for recovery of boron and lithium products.
The process engineering department continues to monitor the evolution of both the pools and pans installed on site at approximately 4050 metres above sea level. As announced previously, a first stage of magnesium and sulphate removal has been completed, followed by successful removal of sylvinite in the ensuing step, confirming that potash is going to be a valuable by-product of an eventual lithium carbonate production facility.
About Rodinia Lithium Inc.:
Rodinia Lithium Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company with a primary focus on Lithium exploration and development in North and South America. The Company is also actively exploring the commercialization of a significant Potash co-product that is expected to be recoverable through the lithium harvesting process.
Rodinia's Salar de Diablillos lithium-brine project in Salta, Argentina, contains a recoverable resource of 2.82 million tonnes lithium carbonate equivalent and 11.27 million tonnes potassium chloride equivalent. The project contains a recoverable inferred resource of 952,553,000 m3 grading 556 mg/L lithium and 6,206 mg/L potassium. Throughout 2011, Rodinia will focus on continuing to develop the Diablillos project by completing additional drilling and advancing through scoping study.
The Company also holds 100% mineral rights to approximately 70,000 acres in Nevada's lithium-rich Clayton Valley in Esmeralda County, and is currently in the process of assessing the size, quality and processing alternatives of this deposit. The Clayton Valley project is located in the only known lithium-brine bearing salt lake in North America, and looks to represent the only new source for domestic lithium carbonate supply.
The Projects are supervised by Ray Spanjers, Rodinia's Manager of Exploration. Mr. Spanjers is considered a Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has read and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this release.
Readers are cautioned that the PEA is preliminary in nature and is partly based on inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that the PEA based on these mineral resources will be realized. The results depend on inputs that are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those presented here.
Please visit the Company's web site at www.rodinialithium.com or write us at info@rodinialithium.com.
Cautionary Notes
Except for statements of historical fact contained herein, the information in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "plans", "proposes", "estimates", "intends", "expects", "believes", "may", "will" and include without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated timing with respect to the development of the property; the results of the pilot engineering program; the potential of the Diablillos property; the potential results and timetable for further exploration with respect to the Clayton Valley project and the Diablillos property, the timetable with respect to future acquisitions and exploration developments at Clayton Valley and Diablillos, timetable for further exploration, analysis and development, title disputes or claims; and governmental approvals and regulation. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, metal prices, competition, financing risks, acquisition risks, risks inherent in the mining industry, and regulatory risks. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, the Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
NEITHER THE 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.
Contacts:
Investor Cubed Inc.
Investor Relations
+1 (647) 258-3311
Rodinia Lithium Inc.
Aaron Wolfe, Vice-President, Corporate Development
+1 (416) 309-2696
info@rodinialithium.com
www.rodinialithium.com