Pursuit Minerals dispatches technical grade lithium carbonate samples to partners

Certified lithium carbonate samples have been sent as feasibility studies continue for a proposed low-cost 5000tpa operation at Rio Grande Sur.

The final product assays confirm 99.5% lithium carbonate purity, upgraded from pilot output via bench scale processing. Pic: Getty Images

Special report: With feasibility work progressing at Rio Grande Sur, Pursuit Minerals is actively engaging with prospective offtake and strategic partners, having dispatched high-purity lithium carbonate samples for evaluation.

• Pursuit Minerals sends lithium carbonate samples to potential offtake and strategic partners 
• Feasibility study progressing for low cost 5000tpa operation at Rio Grande Sur in Argentina
• PUR accelerating evaluation of strategic gold, silver, and copper acquisitions 

The samples were produced from the company’s 250tpa pilot plant in Salta, Argentina, using synthetic brine chemically identical to that of the Rio Grande Sur lithium project. 

Initial pilot production at Pursuit’s 250tpa Pilot Plant in Salta successfully produced 15 kilograms of lithium carbonate at 98.9% purity, validating both the compatibility of the Rio Grande Sur brine and the efficiency of the company’s conventional processing flowsheet. 

To enhance product quality and simulate potential refinement steps at commercial scale, a portion of this material was further treated at bench scale using fractional crystallisation (FX) and ion exchange (IX) techniques. 

These post processing steps upgraded the product to 99.5% purity, meeting established benchmarks for technical-grade lithium carbonate.

Pursuit Minerals (ASX:PUR) believes the final product assays confirm not only the effectiveness of the company’s downstream purification strategy but also the scalability and robustness of its broader flowsheet. 

Transitioning into next phase of development 

PUR managing director and CEO Aaron Revelle said achieving 99.5% lithium carbonate purity is a major technical milestone for Pursuit. 

“Dispatching these samples to potential offtake partners is a critical first step in our commercialisation pathway, enabling product qualification and accelerating engagement with strategic customers in tough market conditions,” he said. 

“As we transition into the next phase of development, our focus is firmly on advancing feasibility for our 5000tpa operation and securing long-term partnerships that will underpin the future production and growth of the Rio Grande Sur project.”

What else is happening? 

The samples will be used by potential partners for product qualification and assessment purposes, representing a critical milestone in Pursuit’s commercial strategy. 

The ability to provide independently certified, high-purity lithium carbonate supports offtake negotiations and enhances the company’s credibility with strategic customers, battery material processors, and end-users as Pursuit progresses towards initial production. 

PUR is maintaining small scale production to support strategic engagement while preserving operational and financial flexibility in response to evolving market conditions.

Feasibility study activities are advancing in parallel, with a clear focus on delivering a low-cost, scalable operation targeting 5000 tonnes per annum of lithium carbonate production. 

Current workstreams include detailed engineering design, process modelling, environmental approvals, and the construction planning for temporary test scale evaporation ponds at the Rio Grande Sur site. 

Simultaneously, Pursuit is actively evaluating acquisition opportunities across high value commodities to complement its lithium strategy and establishing a long-term, multi-commodity growth platform in Argentina. 

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.

Originally published as Pursuit Minerals dispatches technical grade lithium carbonate samples to partners