(AIM: SAV, FWB: SAV and SWB: SAV)
Original announcement by research on
- Company
- Savannah Resources Plc
- Ticker
- SAV
- Exchange
- LSE
- Region
- Northern Portugal
- Primary commodity
- Lithium
- Secondary commodities
- None reported
- Document categories
- Metallurgy, Other
- Extracted
- 2026-11-03 10:58:26 UTC
Analysis by Minestarters Atlas
Atlas analysis published:
Minestarters Atlas analysis
Summary
Savannah reported successful completion of locked cycle testing for the Barroso Lithium Project in Northern Portugal. The LCT produced a 5.5% Li2O concentrate with global recoveries of 77%-81% at laboratory scale and achieved a 39% reduction in reagent use. The company said further bulk float and pilot plant test work is planned for later in 2022.
Reasoning: Completed locked cycle testwork on the Barroso Lithium Project shows encouraging lithium flotation performance and reagent optimization, supporting the upcoming DFS. The work is positive but remains laboratory scale and not yet pilot scale.
Positive factors
- LCT completed successfully
- concentrate grade of 5.5% Li2O
- global recoveries in the range of 77%-81% at laboratory scale
- 39% reduction in reagent use
Negative factors
- results are based on lab scale
- industry standard scale up factors should be applied
- pilot plant testing is still planned
Facts used in scoring: 7
Classification and evidence
High Recoverypositive
Recovery at or above the exceptional band for the commodity and processing route.
Why it applies: The locked-cycle testing reported 77%-81% global recovery and 81.5% global recovery on the final cycles, which is strong for lithium flotation.
Evidence · text
“global recoveries in the range of 77%-81%”
Mill Routeneutral
Processing via mill or concentrator (CIL, CIP, tank leach, flotation).
Why it applies: The release describes a spodumene flotation circuit with dense media separation, de-sliming and magnetic separation, which is a mill/concentrator route.
Evidence · text
“a continuous circuit found in a spodumene flotation plant”
Bench Scale Onlynegative
Only preliminary bench tests completed — no locked-cycle or pilot work.
Why it applies: The work is explicitly described as laboratory scale and the company says pilot plant test work is still planned.
Evidence · text
“at laboratory scale”
Single Domain Onlynegative
Testing limited to one composite or domain — representativeness not established.
Why it applies: The programme was undertaken on a single composite representative of Grandao stage 1, so domain coverage is limited.
Evidence · text
“undertaken on a single composite”
Recovery Improvingpositive
Recovery improved versus a like-for-like prior test program on the same domain and route.
Why it applies: The final LCT results are described as better than the earlier variability programme, which achieved 70%-79.5% Li2O recoveries.
Evidence · text
“improved levels of recoveries are achievable”
QA/QC Disclosedpositive · Story-specific tag
Release includes QA/QC disclosure — certified lab, QP sign-off, or stated methods (blanks, standards, duplicates).
Why it applies: The release names competent persons and describes the supervised test programme, but it does not provide assay QA/QC methods for laboratory control.
Evidence · text
“The LCT programme was supervised by MinSol Engineering Pty Ltd”
Gravity Routeneutral
Gravity separation forms a material part of the flowsheet.
Why it applies: the document describes a gravity route ("dense media separation")
Extracted facts
Stored fact records: 7. Some facts used in scoring do not have a stored record.
Metallurgical Results (7)
locked-cycleBarroso Lithium Project · lithiumRecovery: 81.4 %Head Grade: 1.23Head Grade Unit: % Li2OHistorical resultNeeds review: historical_restatementView all detailsHide details
Identity
- Project
- Barroso Lithium Project
- Commodity
- lithium
- Region
- northern portugal
- Reported Region
- Northern Portugal
- Ticker
- SAV
Test Work
- Program Status
- detailed
- Test Type
- locked-cycle
- Processing Route
- spodumene flotation with dense media separation, de-sliming and magnetic separation
- Sample
- single composite representative of Grandao stage 1
- Grind P80
- 150 µm
Recovery
- Recovery
- 81.4 %
- Recovery Basis
- actual_test
- Head Grade
- 1.23
- Head Grade Unit
- % Li2O
- Conc. Grade
- 5.5
- Conc. Grade Unit
- % Li2O
Lab
- Laboratory
- laboratory
Review
- Needs Review
- Yes
- Review Reason
- historical_restatement
- Historical
- Yes
- Historical Source Date
- 2022-06-21T00:00:00.000Z
Reasoning: This fact captures the representative composite result cited for the program and is positive because it demonstrates strong lithium flotation performance and concentrate quality, though it remains laboratory scale.
Positive factors
- completed locked cycle testing
- high-grade spodumene concentrate at 5.5% Li2O
- lab-scale recovery is strong for lithium flotation
- supports upcoming DFS
Negative factors
- lab scale result
- industry standard scale up factors should be applied
- single composite limits domain coverage
Tags used in scoring
Mill Routeneutral
Processing via mill or concentrator (CIL, CIP, tank leach, flotation).
Why it applies: processing_route matches the flotation signal
Gravity Routeneutral
Gravity separation forms a material part of the flowsheet.
Why it applies: processing_route matches the gravity signal
High Recoverypositive
Recovery at or above the exceptional band for the commodity and processing route.
Why it applies: 81.4% is at or above the exceptional band (80%)
locked-cycleBarroso Lithium Project · lithiumRecovery: 81.5 %Head Grade: 1.23Head Grade Unit: % Li2OView all detailsHide details
Identity
- Project
- Barroso Lithium Project
- Commodity
- lithium
- Region
- northern portugal
- Reported Region
- Northern Portugal
- Ticker
- SAV
Test Work
- Program Status
- detailed
- Test Type
- locked-cycle
- Processing Route
- spodumene flotation with dense media separation, de-sliming and magnetic separation
- Sample
- single composite representative of Grandao stage 1
- Grind P80
- 150 µm
Recovery
- Recovery
- 81.5 %
- Recovery Basis
- actual_test
- Head Grade
- 1.23
- Head Grade Unit
- % Li2O
- Conc. Grade
- 5.5
- Conc. Grade Unit
- % Li2O
Lab
- Laboratory
- laboratory
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Reasoning: This is the clearest LCT result in the release and shows strong global recovery together with a high-grade lithium concentrate under locked-cycle conditions.
Positive factors
- average results for the final 2 cycles achieved 87.5% stage recovery and 81.5% global recovery
- high-grade 5.50% Li2O concentrate
- represents locked cycle performance under recycled conditions
Negative factors
- lab scale result
- single composite only
- no reagent details for this specific test beyond the broader program
Tags used in scoring
Mill Routeneutral
Processing via mill or concentrator (CIL, CIP, tank leach, flotation).
Why it applies: processing_route matches the flotation signal
Gravity Routeneutral
Gravity separation forms a material part of the flowsheet.
Why it applies: processing_route matches the gravity signal
High Recoverypositive
Recovery at or above the exceptional band for the commodity and processing route.
Why it applies: 81.5% is at or above the exceptional band (80%)
sighter flotationBarroso Lithium Project · lithiumRecovery: 81.4 %Head Grade: 1.23Head Grade Unit: % Li2OView all detailsHide details
Identity
- Project
- Barroso Lithium Project
- Commodity
- lithium
- Region
- northern portugal
- Reported Region
- Northern Portugal
- Ticker
- SAV
Test Work
- Program Status
- detailed
- Test Type
- sighter flotation
- Processing Route
- spodumene flotation with dense media separation, de-sliming and magnetic separation
- Sample
- single composite representative of Grandao stage 1
- Grind P80
- 150 µm
Recovery
- Recovery
- 81.4 %
- Recovery Basis
- actual_test
- Head Grade
- 1.23
- Head Grade Unit
- % Li2O
- Conc. Grade
- 5.5
- Conc. Grade Unit
- % Li2O
Lab
- Laboratory
- laboratory
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Reasoning: The sighter flotation result is also positive, confirming the target concentrate grade and strong flotation recovery before the locked-cycle tests.
Positive factors
- produced a high quality spodumene concentrate at the Project target grade of 5.50% Li2O
- 85% flotation stage recovery
- supports the locked cycle results
Negative factors
- sighter test is preliminary compared with locked cycle testing
- lab scale result
- single composite only
Tags used in scoring
Mill Routeneutral
Processing via mill or concentrator (CIL, CIP, tank leach, flotation).
Why it applies: processing_route matches the flotation signal
Gravity Routeneutral
Gravity separation forms a material part of the flowsheet.
Why it applies: processing_route matches the gravity signal
High Recoverypositive
Recovery at or above the exceptional band for the commodity and processing route.
Why it applies: 81.4% is at or above the exceptional band (80%)
locked-cycleBarroso Lithium Project · lithiumRecovery: 77 %Head Grade: 1.23Head Grade Unit: % Li2OView all detailsHide details
Identity
- Project
- Barroso Lithium Project
- Commodity
- lithium
- Region
- northern portugal
- Reported Region
- Northern Portugal
- Ticker
- SAV
Test Work
- Program Status
- detailed
- Test Type
- locked-cycle
- Processing Route
- spodumene flotation with dense media separation, de-sliming and magnetic separation
- Sample
- single composite representative of Grandao stage 1
- Grind P80
- 150 µm
Recovery
- Recovery
- 77 %
- Recovery Basis
- actual_test
- Head Grade
- 1.23
- Head Grade Unit
- % Li2O
Lab
- Laboratory
- laboratory
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Reasoning: The lower end of the reported global recovery range remains positive but is less informative than the final-cycle result because the exact test context is not isolated.
Positive factors
- LCT yielded global recoveries in the range of 77%-81%
- supports further process optimization
Negative factors
- range value is less specific than the final-cycle result
- lab scale result
- no concentrate grade stated for the lower bound
Tags used in scoring
Mill Routeneutral
Processing via mill or concentrator (CIL, CIP, tank leach, flotation).
Why it applies: processing_route matches the flotation signal
Gravity Routeneutral
Gravity separation forms a material part of the flowsheet.
Why it applies: processing_route matches the gravity signal
locked-cycleBarroso Lithium Project · lithiumRecovery: 81 %Head Grade: 1.23Head Grade Unit: % Li2OView all detailsHide details
Identity
- Project
- Barroso Lithium Project
- Commodity
- lithium
- Region
- northern portugal
- Reported Region
- Northern Portugal
- Ticker
- SAV
Test Work
- Program Status
- detailed
- Test Type
- locked-cycle
- Processing Route
- spodumene flotation with dense media separation, de-sliming and magnetic separation
- Sample
- single composite representative of Grandao stage 1
- Grind P80
- 150 µm
Recovery
- Recovery
- 81 %
- Recovery Basis
- actual_test
- Head Grade
- 1.23
- Head Grade Unit
- % Li2O
Lab
- Laboratory
- laboratory
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Reasoning: The upper end of the global recovery range remains encouraging and is consistent with the high-grade concentrate reported elsewhere in the release.
Positive factors
- LCT yielded global recoveries in the range of 77%-81%
- upper end of the reported range is strong for lab-scale lithium flotation
Negative factors
- reported as a range rather than a discrete test result
- lab scale result
- single composite only
Tags used in scoring
Mill Routeneutral
Processing via mill or concentrator (CIL, CIP, tank leach, flotation).
Why it applies: processing_route matches the flotation signal
Gravity Routeneutral
Gravity separation forms a material part of the flowsheet.
Why it applies: processing_route matches the gravity signal
High Recoverypositive
Recovery at or above the exceptional band for the commodity and processing route.
Why it applies: 81% is at or above the exceptional band (80%)
locked-cycleBarroso Lithium Project · lithiumView all detailsHide details
Identity
- Project
- Barroso Lithium Project
- Commodity
- lithium
- Region
- northern portugal
- Reported Region
- Northern Portugal
- Ticker
- SAV
Test Work
- Program Status
- optimization
- Test Type
- locked-cycle
- Processing Route
- spodumene flotation with dense media separation, de-sliming and magnetic separation
- Sample
- single composite representative of Grandao stage 1
- Grind P80
- 150 µm
Reagents
- Reagent Notes
- Optimisation of the reagent dose rates between test 1 and test 3 showed a 39% reduction in reagent use
Lab
- Laboratory
- laboratory
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Reasoning: The reagent reduction is material because it points to lower operating cost potential while maintaining good lithium flotation performance.
Positive factors
- 39% reduction in reagent use
- potential OPEX benefit
- improved process efficiency while maintaining product quality
Negative factors
- no numeric reagent consumption baseline disclosed
- lab scale result
- economic benefit not yet quantified in a study
Tags used in scoring
Mill Routeneutral
Processing via mill or concentrator (CIL, CIP, tank leach, flotation).
Why it applies: processing_route matches the flotation signal
Gravity Routeneutral
Gravity separation forms a material part of the flowsheet.
Why it applies: processing_route matches the gravity signal
locked-cycleBarroso Lithium Project · lithiumView all detailsHide details
Identity
- Project
- Barroso Lithium Project
- Commodity
- lithium
- Region
- northern portugal
- Reported Region
- Northern Portugal
- Ticker
- SAV
Test Work
- Program Status
- detailed
- Test Type
- locked-cycle
- Processing Route
- spodumene flotation with dense media separation, de-sliming and magnetic separation
- Sample
- single composite representative of Grandao stage 1
- Grind P80
- 150 µm
Lab
- Laboratory
- laboratory
- Consultant
- MinSol Engineering Pty Ltd
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Reasoning: This is a contextual fact about the supervision of the program rather than a separate metallurgical result, but it supports the credibility of the work.
Positive factors
- programme supervised by MinSol Engineering Pty Ltd
- supports interpretation of the test work
Negative factors
- no assay QA/QC disclosure in the release
- no numeric result attached to this support fact
Tags used in scoring
Mill Routeneutral
Processing via mill or concentrator (CIL, CIP, tank leach, flotation).
Why it applies: processing_route matches the flotation signal
Gravity Routeneutral
Gravity separation forms a material part of the flowsheet.
Why it applies: processing_route matches the gravity signal
How Atlas produces this analysis
Minestarters Atlas uses automated extraction to summarize mining announcements, identify reported measurements, and classify supporting evidence. Sentiment reflects the extracted narrative and classification rules; it is an interpretation, not a reported measurement. Evidence quotes and context are provided where available. Missing data, low-confidence results, and review flags indicate limitations. Check the original publisher announcement before relying on an interpretation.