Plateau Energy Metals reports 75-79% Lithium extraction to sulphate solution regardless of grain size fractions from Falchani High-Grade Lithium Mineralization - New test work to start at ANSTO

Plateau Energy Metals Inc. / Plateau Energy Metals reports 75-79% Lithium extraction to sulphate solution regardless of grain size fractions from Falchani High-Grade Lithium Mineralization - New test work to start at ANSTO . Processed and transmitted by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

TORONTO, April 19, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Plateau Energy Metals Inc. ("Plateau" "PLU" or the "Company")(TSX VENTURE:PLU)(FRANKFURT:QG1)(OTCQB:PLUUF), a lithium and uranium development company, is pleased to announce continued metallurgical test results from the Falchani discovery at its Macusani Plateau lithium/uranium project in Peru. The grain size versus leaching test work was completed by TECMMINE, a Peruvian metallurgical consulting company based in Lima, Peru, and was reviewed by Grenvil Dunn of Hydromet (Pty) Ltd. ("Hydromet"). The test work forms part of the Company's continuing efforts to unlock value from the Falchani high-grade lithium discovery.

The Company also announces that a Falchani lithium mineralization bulk sample has been received by ANSTO Laboratories in Australia. ANSTO will be starting new test work including: lithium leaching, lithium product precipitation, product characterization and initial flowsheet design. This work should be completed within the next 4-8 weeks.

Highlights 
The leach test work was conducted on samples of the Li-rich tuff drilled by the Company at the Falchani discovery. The 7.4 kg sample was crushed and milled to -2 mm and separated into 6 separate grain size fractions.

• Regardless of size fraction, leach results indicate that 75-79% of contained lithium was extracted from Falchani mineralization in open circuit sulphuric acid leach tests at 88°C conducted during 12-hour leach tests.
• Results confirm and support that lithium can be extracted from Falchani Li-rich tuff unit using a simple whole-of-ore leach process.
• Overall sample contained 3,846 ppm Li with separate size fractions ranging from 3,543 to 4,286 ppm Li showing consistent Li contents regardless of size fraction.
• Acid consumption is low, ranging from 162-192 kg Acid/t of feed, and is lower for coarser grind fractions.
• A Falchani bulk sample has been received by ANSTO where Li leach and product precipitation work has started with initial sample processing.

Ted O'Connor, CEO of Plateau Energy Metals commented: "This recent lithium leaching versus grain size fraction work continues to support using simple, warm sulphuric acid leaching under atmospheric pressure conditions and confirms ~80% Li extraction is achievable with relatively coarse milling requirements. Regardless of the individual size fractions studied, lithium leaching and lithium grades are remarkably consistent, with low acid consumption. This will have a clearly positive impact on potential operating costs from grade control, mining, milling and leach processing perspectives.