Positive Preliminary Metallurgical Test Work Results at Conchas

Published: Oct 28, 2025 08:00

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Berkeley Energia Limited announced that its Conchas Project in Spain has achieved positive preliminary metallurgical test results, indicating strong potential for the recovery of key minerals such as lithium (Li) and rubidium (Rb). The results show that Conchas hosts shallow, thick zones of lithium and rubidium mineralization, with accessory tin, cesium, beryllium, niobium, and tantalum, mainly occurring within muscovitic leucogranite. Metallurgical test work conducted by SLR Consulting included sample characterization, mineralogical analysis, gravity separation, flotation, and magnetic testing. In the flotation tests, samples with particle sizes under 150 microns achieved recoveries of 78% for lithium and 63% for rubidium. Magnetic separation on coarser material (-300 to +150 microns) achieved stage recoveries of 77% lithium and 58% rubidium, suggesting that combining magnetic separation and flotation could enhance overall recovery efficiency. Next, the company plans to conduct 3D modeling of drilling data to refine geological interpretation of the lithium and rubidium mineralization, followed by a second phase of metallurgical testing to optimize processing methods. Rubidium, widely used in defense, aerospace, communications, and renewable energy, is classified as a critical mineral by the U.S. and Japan, reflecting its growing strategic and industrial importance.

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