GCIAtlantic secures partner to kick start by-product development
(), a lithium exploration and development company focused on Ghana, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) to conduct a Definitive Feasibility Study aiming to evaluate the potential for producing feldspar, quartz, and muscovite as by-products of spodumene concentrate production at Atlantic Lithium's Ewoyaa Lithium Project in Ghana.
The partnership with UMaT, a prominent African university, will assess market conditions, technical feasibility, financial viability, and risks associated with producing feldspar to support Ghana's ceramics sector.
The study will also involve sodium analysis and X-ray diffraction analysis to define a feldspar Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) and potentially reduce operating costs for the Ewoyaa Project. The inclusion of feldspar production is not part of the current Definitive Feasibility Study for the Project, but Atlantic believes it could enhance the project's environmental credentials and financial outlook.
Keith Muller, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We hope to help invigorate Ghana's ceramics market through the long-term supply of feldspar from Ewoyaa, stimulating the creation of new jobs and the development of associated businesses in the industry in the process. This way, Atlantic Lithium hopes to deliver further synergetic benefits to local stakeholders from the Ewoyaa Lithium Project.
"The production of feldspar also offers the possibility to reduce the waste footprint of the mine, providing potential environmental benefits alongside win-win social and commercial benefits.
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Atlantic said last week that it had planned to incorporate a feldspar circuit in stage 2 of the Ewoyaa project, when it reported high spodumene grades at the Ewoyaa project as it continues with its 18,500m exploration programme aiming to convert Inferred to Indicated resources to further bolster the project's resource estimate.
The proposed development of the feldspar circuit adds to the projects ESG credentials, which should go some way to helping it maintain the support of the Ghanaian mining authorities after the introduction a new Green Minerals Policy last week. Media speculation suggests could bring changes to the mining royalty rate and the state's carried interest in minerals projects.
Atlantic said that it has been in regular discussions with Ghana's Minerals Commission regarding the establishment of a framework that is attractive for mining companies while delivering maximum value to Ghana, and that the award of a mining licence is on track as Ghana seeks to become Africa's first lithium-producing nation.
Given the quality of the deposit and the funding behind its development - as well as its close proximity to operational infrastructure, a low-water and low-energy plant, and proximity to potential off-takers - we think Atlantic remains on track to achieve production in the near term.
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