"Inferred" resources of 570,000t grading 0.8% Li2O (plus caesium and rubidium) have been calculated, with a Rubicon tailings upgrade seeing "indicated" resources of 71,000t at 1% Li2O.
Lepidico is looking at the redevelopment of two mines within its 80%-owned Karibib project in Namibia and the design of a new flotation plant to produce a lepidolite concentrate for export to a chemical conversion facility it wants to build in Abu Dhabi.
Such a business could produce circa-5000tpa lithium hydroxide for 14 years, according to the company.
Lepidico has also said "strategic caesium and rubidium high value products" plus bulk by-products collectively give aggregate production on a total lithium-equivalent basis of more than 7000tpa.
Total pre-production capital has been put at US$139 million.
Talks with potential backers,
Lepidico had cash at the start of the current quarter of A$3.1 million
Shares in Lepidico were up 5% to 2.2c in morning trade, capitalising the
