Categories: Base Metals / Energy / General Market Commentary
Topics: General Base Metals / General Energy / General Market Commentary

FinancialBuzz.com: Demand for Lithium Expected to Remain Strong

FinancialBuzz.com: Demand for Lithium Expected to Remain Strong

 

 The lithium market has been witnessing a surprising surge in demand over the course of recent years. This is in large thanks to the recent technological innovations in the Lithium-Ion battery market. According to Allied Market Research, the Global Lithium-Ion Battery Market size is expected reach $46.21 billion by 2022, with a CAGR of 10.8% during the forecast period. The demand is driven by the increasing use of lithium-ion batteries in smartphones, tablets/PCs, digital cameras, power tools and in recent years for electric vehicles. These batteries have attracted the attention of automobile manufacturers due to small size, light weight and relative efficiency. Alix Resources Ltd. (OTC: ARXRF) (TSX-V: AIX.V), Lithium Americas Corporation (OTC: LACDF), Advantage Lithium Corporation (OTC: AVLIF), Lithium Corporation (OTC: LTUM), Lithium X Energy Corp. (OTC: LIXXF)

The research indicates that the lithium markets does face obstacles, mainly high purchase prices, which create significant limitations for consumer adoption of lithium batteries into devices and systems. Despite the high production costs, continues innovations and aggressive R&D by tech companies are expected improve efficiency further, expanding the potential target audience, increase competition and eventually reduce costs.

Alix Resources Ltd. (OTC: ARXRF) (TSX-V: AIX.V) is a junior mineral exploration company focused on seeking and acquiring world class lithium projects globally. Alix continues to evaluate suitable prospects that fit the mandate of the Company. Earlier today Alix Resources Ltd. announced that, "the commencement of Agua Fria (Mexico) metallurgical testing and trench results. Highlights:

Trench samples demonstrate high lithium grades (up to 1340 ppm) -Preparations underway for the February 2017 drilling campaign -Li-mineralized clays extended to over 5 km on strike -Metallurgical testing commenced -Metallurgical evaluation

Alix and joint venture partner Lithium Australia NL (ASX: LIT) have dispatched the first samples from Agua Fria (part of the Electra Project, Sonora Mexico, Figure 1) for metallurgical testing at the Kappes Cassiday & Associates facilities (Reno, NV).

Metallurgical testing will proceed in parallel with a drilling campaign planned for February 2017, with the aim of determining the best beneficiation method for the mineralized material and also obtaining the preferred commercial process of recovering specific metals. LIT and Alix consider efficient beneficiation to be of paramount importance in developing a commercial outcome for these deposits. LIT's experience in hydrometallurgical process development will be of great benefit in evaluating and testing the beneficiation process to lithium extraction and finally production of lithium carbonate and hydroxide.

The Agua Fria target zone - ... Recent results from the southern part of Agua Fria have been received from continuous channel samples collected along 4 trenches totaling 319.7m that were dug perpendicularly across the lithium-rich clays.

Trench #1 returned 712 ppm Li and 2.6% K over its entire length of 146.5 meters, including 928 ppm Li (+2.4% K) over 43 meters and 971 ppm Li (+1.9% K) over 17 meters. Trench #2 is a 50m laterally displaced extension of the first trench and returned 954 ppm Li (+2.1% K) over its entire length of 30 meters.

Trench #3 (located 400 meters north of Trench #1) returned 758 ppm Li (+2.3% K) over its entire length of 103.2 meters, including 31 meters of 949 ppm Li (+2.1% K) and 21 meters of 1004 ppm Li (+1.8% K)

Trench #4 located between trenches #1 and #3 is in terrain more difficult to trench but samples from a 2 meter deep test pit assayed 1130 ppm Li.

Northern Agua Fria - Results from the lesser explored northern part of the Agua Fria formation have also been received, nine channel samples returned up to 1340 ppm Li averaging 1069 ppm Li. The northern clay beds are distinctly darker in color than the southern clay and were originally not believed to be as prospective. However the latest results are very encouraging and we are now carrying out follow-up work involving more detailed sampling and trenching. Ongoing work is focused on vectoring in on higher grade lithium values within this large prospective basin.

Christopher Ecclestone the CEO of Alix Resources commented: "With this trenching, the imminent met work results and the upcoming drilling the potential of Agua Fria should start to become apparent. The trenching in particular has expanded the Company's view of the size of the mineralization and has given us an enhanced target map for the drilling season".

The technical contents of this release were approved by Michel Boily, PhD, P.Geo a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. The properties have not been the subject of a National Instrument 43-101 report."

Lithium Americas Corporation (OTCQX: LACDF) with its joint venture partner SQM, is developing the Cauchari-Olaroz Lithium project, located in Argentina, through its 50 percent interest in Minera Exar S.A. Furthermore, Lithium Americas owns the entire Lithium Nevada project, and RheoMinerals Inc., a supplier of rheology modifiers for oil-based drilling fluids, coatings, and specialty chemicals. Recently, the company announced a strategic investment by The Bangchak Petroleum Public Company Limited, in a $112 million agreement. This agreement will increase its ownership stake to 16.4 percent of the outstanding common shares of Lithium Americas, purchase a fixed portion of the lithium carbonate production from the Cauchari-Olaroz project, and an $80 million project debt facility.

Advantage Lithium Corporation (OTCQB: AVLIF) is a lithium explorer and developer with top tier management and an international portfolio of quality assets. Recently, the Company announced an agreement and partnership with Orocobre, one of Argentina's leading lithium producers. The agreement includes up a joint venture and up to 75 percent interest in the Cauchari project, which hosts an inferred resource and includes high priority exploration targets. Orocobre will be acquiring over 31 percent of Advantage Lithium as part of the transaction. Advantage Lithium has also drilled lithium brines on all three of its drill holes at Clayton NE, Nevada, situated right beside Albemarle and within 110m of lithium production pumps.

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