Lithium Pilot Plant Commissioning Update and Processing Progress

Core Insights - St-Georges Eco-Mining Corp. is advancing its lithium processing pilot plant through its subsidiary, St-Georges Metallurgy Corp., with support from Natural Resources Canada, which has invested $4.0 million in the project [1]. Group 1: Operational Update - During the commissioning phase, St-Georges Metallurgy Corp. received approximately 5 tonnes of spodumene concentrate and 900 kg of lithium-ion battery black mass for processing [2]. - The company has processed about 3 tonnes of spodumene concentrate at the leaching phase, with operations progressing as planned and a new filter press installed to double filtration capacity [3]. - Comprehensive leaching test results from pilot-scale spodumene campaigns are expected by the end of March, with black mass leaching tests anticipated in early April [7]. Group 2: Technical Developments - Preliminary leaching tests have shown encouraging lithium recovery kinetics and controlled residue behavior, supporting the transition to pilot-scale commissioning [4]. - The installation of the first purification stage is underway, with most equipment received and installed, pending the delivery of a transformer [8]. - The chairman of St-Georges highlighted the strategic relevance of processing Canadian spodumene feedstock and the ongoing infrastructure upgrades [12]. Group 3: Future Steps - Expected next steps include the completion and commissioning of the first purification stage, continued spodumene pilot campaigns, initiation of pilot-scale black mass leaching tests, and the release of comprehensive pilot-scale results in Q2 2026 [15].