Testing For The Clayton Valley Lithium Project 

VANCOUVER - Cypress Development Corp. has contracted NORAM Engineering and Constructors Ltd. (NORAM) to conduct concept testing for the Clayton Valley Lithium Project in Nevada. The test work will focus on the downstream portion of the revised extraction flowsheet and run in parallel with completion of the pre-feasibility study (PFS) of the project. 

Cypress reported positive results from the first two phases of its PFS metallurgical program earlier this year. In August, the Company reported a milestone where a commercially viable process was identified, based on filtration, to deal with the separation of clay particles fro

m leach solutions. Review of the flowsheet by Cypress and its consultants, identified potential changes in the downstream portion. These changes should enhance the project and lead to improved and more efficient recovery of lithium and probable by-products, including rare earth elements, and more effective use of sulfuric acid. The changes are considered significant and were incorporated into the PFS using data from the test work and known industrial parameters. They consist of a sequence of membrane separations, evaporation, and ion exchange. Subsequent, independent third-party review concluded additional testing was needed to confirm the changes to the PFS and led to the current program. The program is scheduled to take six weeks to complete and will test the performance of several connected stages in the downstream processing. The required volume of leach solution is in preparation and will be shipped to NORAM for testing.

CEO Bill Willoughby said, “We are pleased to work with NORAM during this stage of testing. Their experience in commercial plants, along with this testing program, will provide greater confidence in the PFS results. It also lays the groundwork for the pilot-scale testing and feasibility study we plan for next year. While timing of the program means the release of the PFS is moved to early 2020.”