Hybrid Minerals Inc (HZ)

Hertz Lithium offers investors breakthrough lithium extraction technology with potential royalty deal and a mineral property with lithium grades up to 5%
3 months ago Resource World

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By Peter Kennedy

Hertz Lithium Inc. [HZ-CSE] is a company that aims to capitalize on an expected surge in demand for lithium that is tied to the movement to clean technologies and their reliance on battery metals.

The Vancouver-based company hopes to achieve that goal in two ways. The first is by developing its Lucky Mica property, which is situated in the Arizona pegmatite belt, an emerging high-grade hard rock lithium district with known lithium deposits.

The second is via a patent-pending breakthrough technology that offers a way to extract lithium from spodumene while it is still in its “a” form, recovering up to 90% of the lithium. The technology is being developed by a team at Penn State University Research Foundation (PSRF). Hertz secured an option to license the exclusive worldwide rights to utilize this technology. In a press release on May 10, 2022, Hertz said it had exercised the option and has subsequently entered negotiations related to the license agreement.

“As many new hard rock lithium deposits are being discovered to meet growing global demand, we aim to work with Penn State University’s patent pending process to develop improved lithium extraction technologies for hard rock resources around the world,’’ said Hertz CEO and director Kal Malhi.

It is anticipated the license agreement will require that the company pay the PSRF mutually agreed to royalty and milestone payments based on revenue, if any, generated by the company from the technology. In addition, the company and the PSRF are in talks to commence further development and scale-up the technology.

Hertz’s strategy is based on lithium’s key role in the manufacturing of electric vehicle batteries, and expectations that rising EV demand could put global supplies of lithium under strain. Demand for lithium is expected be driven in part by government subsidies aimed at boosting the production of electric vehicles in the United States, Canada, and elsewhere.

Since the company completed a $1.6 million IPO in early April the shares have nearly tripled in value.

On May 19, 2023, Hertz Lithium shares closed at CAD $0.29 and currently trade in a 52-week range of $0.11 and $0.32, leaving the company with a market cap of $8.8 million, based on 30.48 million shares outstanding.

Due to its abundance and widespread distribution around the world, Spodumene is the primary source of high-purity lithium. However, current technologies do not allow leaching lithium directly from spodumene’s native form.

The current extraction methods are focused on modifying the crystal structure of concentrated spodumene using conventional heating (roasting) at a temperature of 1050 degrees Celsius to transform the natural crystalline form of spodumene to a form which can be leached at a high temperature.

Such high-temperature roasting processes are very energy intensive and have been the bottleneck in relation to the economic extraction from ores. As a result, there has been a need for more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly methods for a high-yield extraction of lithium. The technology developed at Penn State is designed to satisfy these needs by offering a way to extract lithium from spodumene while it is still in its “a” from.

This process utilizes low temperature (320 degrees Celcius) NaOH roasting of spodumene which facilitates high recovery of Li through water leaching. The impurities in the water leachate (mainly Si) of this process can be readily removed. The water leaching conditions also facilitates low-cost Li battery precursors. The microwave-assisted NaOH roasting will even further reduce the energy consumption of the process. Due to the advantages of microwave heating over conventional heating, the former will even enhance the efficiency of the conversion of Li in a-spodumene to water-soluble phases.

The technology includes an international patent application that has already entered the national phases in Canada, the U.S. and Australia. Depending on the success of the development phase, the company may commercialize and market the technology to be used by other companies.

It could also be used to create lithium carbonate at its Lucky Mica property, which is located in Maricopa County, Arizona, about 10 kilometres southwest of the city of Wickenburg (population 6,300).

An extensive pegmatite swarm has been discovered on Patriot Lithium’s [PAT-ASX] Wickenburg Project, which surrounds the Lucky Mica property. Wickenburg has so far been untested by drilling.

Lucky Mica is road accessible and at an early stage of exploration. It consists of 114 lode mining claims covering 939 hectares, and lies within a prospective geological and structural setting for lithium and rare metal pegmatite mineralization.

The mineralization of economic interest at Lucky Mica is found in spodumene-bearing pegmatite dike complexes, which can vary from a few metres to 100 metres in length with the same variation in widths.

From early work completed on the property, data shows that spodumene-bearing pegmatites have grades comparable to the average grade of other pegmatite projects where studies have been completed indicating positive economics, including North American Lithium (NAL), Nemaska Lithium, with one grab sample (from spodumene rich pegmatite) returning a grade of 7.5% Li20.

The Lucky Mica Dike is considered the most significant known occurrence with reported lithium grades of 3.0% to 5.0% in spodumene minerals.

However, the company has said further field work and drilling will help better define the mineralogical zoning of the Lucky Mica dike and the regional chemical zonation of the different pegmatite bodies observed on the project.

A NI 43-101-compliant analysis has defined a potential resource for the Lucky Mica dike alone (not the entire project) of between 330,000 and 551,000 tonnes at grades of between 0.3% and 2.5% Li20. The project, as identified by SGS Canada, comprises seven (7) other outcropping dikes, which according to a technical report could add significant volume to the spodumene bearing pegmatites and increase the tonnage range to 330,000 to 3.0 million tonnes.

Hertz’s exploration plan is to identify all the pegmatite bodies located on the property and to explore multiple zones of lithium mineralization to assemble an economic resource tonnage and grade.

In keeping with that plan, Hertz has begun field explorations and project development at the property. The 2023 work program is to consist of concurrent field exploration targeted with systematically mapping and geochemical sampling the extent of additional known pegmatite outcrops at the property.

The work is to be complimented by and acquisition of valuable remote sensing, hyperspectral and radiometric data as well as reinterpretation of existing magnetics data to support structural interpretations as to the controls on pegmatite emplacement. Follow up work is to include trenching and channel sampling over defined targets to better understand any potential resource volume and grade of the known pegmatite bodies.

Drilling is contemplated in the fall of 2023 and will be contingent upon success through the preceding stages of evaluation.

https://resourceworld.com/hertz-lithium-offers-investors-breakthrough-lithium-extraction-technology-with-potential-royalty-deal-and-a-mineral-property-with-lithium-grades-up-to-5/

Hertz Lithium Inc. Provides Update on Penn State Lithium Extraction Technology and IR Provider Contracts

Newsfile Corp.
September 7, 2023·7 min read

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 7, 2023) - Hertz Lithium Inc. (CSE: HZ) (OTCQB: HZLIF) (FSE: QE2) (the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its patent-pending lithium extraction technology being developed in partnership with Penn State University ("PSU").

The Technology is designed to be a novel process for the extraction of lithium from alpha spodumene. Spodumene mineral is the major source of high-purity lithium, however, current technologies do not allow leaching of lithium from alpha spodumene, and therefore most of the methods of lithium extraction from spodumene are focused on modifying the crystal structure of concentrated spodumene mineral using conventional heating (roasting) at 950-1100 degrees Celsius. However, such high-temperature roasting processes are very energy intensive and have been the bottleneck of the economic extraction of lithium from ores. Thus, there is a need for more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly methods for a high-yield extraction of lithium. Penn State discovered a method designed to satisfy these needs.

The Technology begins with taking spodumene concentrate, introducing sodium hydroxide, and then proceeding with conventional or microwave roasting which transforms the spodumene into a soluble phase. Next, the water leaching is used to recover water-soluble lithium and remove unwanted chemicals. A final acid leach and purification results in 90% recovery of lithium.

The Company recently executed the Sponsored Research Agreement with Penn State University moving the technology into the next phase of development. The primary objectives of the research project are to optimize the process conditions to maximize the recovery of lithium in water leaching to eliminate the acid leaching process or reduce the chemical consumption as well as conduct a kinetic study to obtain the required data for pilot scale testing.

Kal Malhi, CEO and Director of Hertz Lithium states, "As the lithium mineral deposits get discovered and the demand for lithium for electric batteries continues to surge, the focus is now shifting to developing lithium extraction technologies that are more economical and environmentally friendly. Hertz Lithium and Penn State are pleased to be fast tracking the development of our hard rock lithium extraction technology and take this to the next stage of development."

Additionally, the Company has entered into three service agreements for investor relations services.

The first is a service agreement dated August 8, 2023, (the "Think Ink Service Agreement") with Think Ink Marketing Data and Email Services ("Think Ink"). Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Think Ink Service Agreement, Think Ink has agreed to provide public relations services to the Company in an effort to increase public awareness of the Company and its products, services and securities, including product branding. The services may include facilitating the creation and distribution of marketing materials and paid advertisements. The Think Ink Service Agreement remains in effect from August 8, 2023 for an indefinite term unless terminated by mutual agreement of the parties upon thirty (30) days notice. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Think Ink Service Agreement and as consideration for the services provided by Think Ink, the Company has agreed to provide Think Ink with a budget of USD$40,000 to cover the costs associated with the public relations campaign and related services. Think Ink shall retain the excess sums above the costs expended as its sole compensation for services provided. Think Ink and its principals are arm's length from the Company and do not have any interest, direct or indirect, in the Company or its securities nor do they have any right or intent to acquire such an interest. Think Ink's business is located at 3308 W. Warner Avenue, Santa Ana, CA, USA. Its email contact is claire[ @vexter-2161.

The second is a service agreement dated August 15, 2023 (the "BTV Service Agreement") with Milky Way Marketing Inc. + Blue Sun Productions Inc. ("BTV"). Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Service Agreement, BTV has agreed to provide the Company with a marketing package that includes TV ad spots and fifty (50) BNN Bloomberg broadcasts. BTV will provide its services for a period of approximately 6 weeks, which began on or around August 15, 2023. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the BTV Service Agreement and as consideration for the services provided by BTV, the Company has agreed to pay BTV a cash fee of CDN$30,050. BTV and its principals are arm's length from the Company and do not have any interest, direct or indirect, in the Company or its securities nor do they have any right or intent to acquire such an interest. BTV's business is located at #17-19257B Enterprise Way, Surrey, BC, Canada. Its email contact is jessica[ @NVestor.

The third is a service agreement dated August 23, 2023 (the "Pinnacle Digest Agreement") with Maximus Strategic Consulting Inc. Pinnacle Digest and PinnacleDigest.com are business names of Maximus Strategic Consulting Inc. ("Maximus"). Maximus will produce and distribute via Pinnacle Digest's weekly email newsletter, YouTube channel, social feeds and online advertising on Google platforms engaging video content (the "Content") intended to explain the Company's achievements and development plans for the future. Additionally, all of the Company's news releases during the term of the marketing program will be featured in Pinnacle Digest's weekly email newsletter. Maximus and its principals are arm's length from the Company and do not have any interest, direct or indirect, in the Company or its securities, nor do they have any right or intent to acquire such an interest.

For the four-month marketing program listed above, Hertz Lithium Inc. will pay Maximus Strategic Consulting Inc. a one-time fee of CDN$65,000 plus GST. Pinnacle Digest's website is PinnacleDigest.com, and its contact is Aaron Hoddinott at email support@pinnacledigest.com. Pinnacle Digest's office is located at 1117 1 St SW, Unit 310, Calgary, Alberta, T2R 0T9.

Kal Malhi, CEO states, "As we progress Hertz from our recent public listing and US DTC eligibility and development on our projects, we felt this is the perfect time to engage a strong IR team to help us deliver our business message to the investment community. We plan to launch various plans under these agreements in the coming weeks and months."

About Hertz Lithium Inc.

Hertz Lithium Inc. is a British Columbia based mineral exploration company primarily engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties. The Company currently has one material mineral property, the Lucky Mica Project, located in the Arizona Pegmatite Belt in the Maricopa County of Arizona, USA, which is in the exploration stage. The Company is also working with the PSRF in the development of a novel lithium extraction technology.

For further information, please contact Mr. Kal Malhi or view the Company's filings at www.sedar.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Kal Malhi
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Phone: 604-805-4602
Email: kal@bullruncapital.ca

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not in any way passed upon the merits of the matters referenced herein and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.


To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/179792