(AIM: SAV, FWB: SAV and SWB: SAV) (‘Savannah’ or the ‘Company’)
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
- 2026-11-05 13:50:48 UTC
Analysis by Minestarters Atlas
Atlas analysis published:
Minestarters Atlas analysis
Summary
Savannah says the process flowsheet for the Barroso Lithium Project has been finalised and is ready for detailed engineering studies for the DFS. Test work to date shows spodumene concentrate grading at least 5.5% Li2O, with average recoveries of 75.3% at a 150 micron grind and a range of 70-79.5% across the variability programme. The company also says locked-cycle and pilot plant test work are now underway.
Reasoning: This is a positive metallurgical milestone: the process flowsheet has been finalised for DFS work and test work shows acceptable spodumene concentrate grade and solid recoveries. The release is still interim for the variability programme, so some novelty remains incomplete and the technical risk around the unique reagent regime is not fully eliminated.
Positive factors
- flowsheet finalised for Barroso Lithium Project
- recovery improved to 75.3% average at 150 micron
- spodumene concentrate grading ≥5.5% Li2O
- industry standard equipment and processes
- locked cycle and pilot plant testing underway
Negative factors
- two of ten variability samples still to be finalised
- full results will be summarised in a subsequent release
- uniqueness of mica flotation reagent regime noted as a technical risk
Facts used in scoring: 9
Classification and evidence
Mill Routeneutral
Processing via mill or concentrator (CIL, CIP, tank leach, flotation).
Why it applies: The flowsheet uses magnetic separation and flotation, which places the process in the mill/concentrator category.
Evidence · text
“followed by magnetic separation and flotation”
Free Millingpositive
Simple, clean ore amenable to standard processing without oxidation.
Why it applies: The release describes a conventional spodumene processing flowsheet with industry standard technologies and no refractory issue.
Evidence · text
“The process flowsheet developed for the Barroso Lithium Project is conventional”
Multi Domain Testedpositive
Variability across ore domains (oxide, transition, fresh) has been addressed.
Why it applies: The ore variability programme used 10 composites representing each major resource zone and lithology.
Evidence · text
“utilised 10 composites, representing each major resource zone and lithology”
Pilot Scale Completepositive
Pilot or demonstration plant testing completed under continuous operation.
Why it applies: The release says locked cycle test work and pilot plant test work programmes are underway, but not yet complete; this tag is not applied.
Evidence · text
“Locked Cycle Testing”
No QA/QC Disclosurenegative · Story-specific tag
Release does not disclose QA/QC — lab certification, CP/QP sign-off and assay protocols cannot be checked from this document.
Why it applies: The announcement identifies laboratories and competent persons, but it does not set out blanks, standards or duplicate procedures for the metallurgical assays in this release.
Evidence · text
“The information in this release that relates to metallurgy and metallurgical test work has been reviewed by Mr Robert Simmons”
True Width Disclosedpositive · Story-specific tag
Actual thickness perpendicular to structure is stated, not just downhole length.
Why it applies: No true width is relevant here because this is metallurgical test work rather than drilling; no drill width claim is made.
Evidence · text
“Finalisation of Environmentally Enhanced Process Flowsheet”
Positive Flowsheet Finalisationpositive · Story-specific tag
No canonical definition is currently available.
Why it applies: The flowsheet is said to be finalised and ready to be adopted for detailed engineering studies as part of the DFS.
Evidence · text
“now finalised and ready to be adopted for detailed engineering studies”
Extracted facts
Stored fact records: 9. Some facts used in scoring do not have a stored record.
Metallurgical Results (9)
flotationBarroso Lithium Project · lithiumRecovery: 72 %Head Grade: 1.31Head 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
- flotation
- Processing Route
- Dense Media Separation, pre-concentration, followed by magnetic separation and flotation
- Sample
- representative sample of Grandao fresh ore
- Grind P80
- 106 µm
Recovery
- Recovery
- 72 %
- Recovery Basis
- actual_test
- Head Grade
- 1.31
- Head Grade Unit
- % Li2O
Lab
- Laboratory
- Nagrom Laboratories
- Consultant
- Minsol Engineering
Location
- Loc. Confidence
- inferred
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Reasoning: The flowsheet development test programme on Grandao fresh ore delivered a solid 72% recovery at 106 micron with low impurities, supporting the finalised flowsheet.
Positive factors
- flowsheet development test programme completed
- returned Li2O recoveries in the range of 72-75%
- low levels of impurities
- finalised for detailed engineering studies
Negative factors
- results are from a representative sample only
- no concentrate grade on this specific test row
- full variability set not yet complete
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
flotationBarroso Lithium Project · lithiumRecovery: 75 %Head Grade: 1.31Head 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
- flotation
- Processing Route
- Dense Media Separation, pre-concentration, followed by magnetic separation and flotation
- Sample
- representative sample of Grandao fresh ore
- Grind P80
- 106 µm
Recovery
- Recovery
- 75 %
- Recovery Basis
- actual_test
- Head Grade
- 1.31
- Head Grade Unit
- % Li2O
Lab
- Laboratory
- Nagrom Laboratories
- Consultant
- Minsol Engineering
Location
- Loc. Confidence
- inferred
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Reasoning: This is the stronger end of the flowsheet development recovery range and reinforces that the finalised process is performing consistently.
Positive factors
- upper end of the reported 72-75% recovery range
- flowsheet work completed successfully
- industry-standard technologies used
Negative factors
- same programme as adjacent fact, so not independent confirmation
- no specific impurity numbers attached to this row
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
flotationBarroso Lithium Project · lithiumRecovery: 71.6 %Head 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
- flotation
- Processing Route
- Dense Media Separation, pre-concentration, followed by magnetic separation and flotation
- Sample
- ore variability test programme T3032; 10 composites representing each major resource zone and lithology
- Grind P80
- 106 µm
Recovery
- Recovery
- 71.6 %
- Recovery Basis
- actual_test
- Head Grade Unit
- % Li2O
Lab
- Laboratory
- Nagrom Laboratories
- Consultant
- Minsol Engineering
Location
- Loc. Confidence
- inferred
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Reasoning: Average recovery of 71.6% at 106 micron across the variability programme is a supportive but still preliminary result because the programme was not fully complete.
Positive factors
- variability programme nearing completion
- average recovery reported for all composites
- supports consistency across major resource zones and lithologies
Negative factors
- no head grade stated for this summary point
- programme still had two samples to finalise
- this is a summary statistic rather than a single test result
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
flotationBarroso Lithium Project · lithiumRecovery: 74.6 %Head 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
- flotation
- Processing Route
- Dense Media Separation, pre-concentration, followed by magnetic separation and flotation
- Sample
- ore variability test programme T3032; 10 composites representing each major resource zone and lithology
- Grind P80
- 106 µm
Recovery
- Recovery
- 74.6 %
- Recovery Basis
- actual_test
- Head Grade Unit
- % Li2O
Lab
- Laboratory
- Nagrom Laboratories
- Consultant
- Minsol Engineering
Location
- Loc. Confidence
- inferred
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Reasoning: The 74.6% maximum recovery at 106 micron shows the process can deliver stronger recoveries even at the coarser grind.
Positive factors
- top of the reported range at 106 micron
- shows good performance across the tested composites
Negative factors
- summary result only
- same programme as other variability facts
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
flotationBarroso Lithium Project · lithiumRecovery: 70 %Head 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
- flotation
- Processing Route
- Dense Media Separation, pre-concentration, followed by magnetic separation and flotation
- Sample
- ore variability test programme T3032; 10 composites representing each major resource zone and lithology
- Grind P80
- 150 µm
Recovery
- Recovery
- 70 %
- Recovery Basis
- actual_test
- Head Grade Unit
- % Li2O
Lab
- Laboratory
- Nagrom Laboratories
- Consultant
- Minsol Engineering
Location
- Loc. Confidence
- inferred
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Reasoning: The minimum recovery of 70% at 150 micron is still strong for the stated circuit and supports the coarser-grind optimisation narrative.
Positive factors
- recovery improved at coarser grind
- company says this should reduce capital and operating costs
- average recovery at 150 micron was higher than at 106 micron
Negative factors
- summary statistic only
- no individual composite data attached
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
flotationBarroso Lithium Project · lithiumRecovery: 75.3 %Head 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
- flotation
- Processing Route
- Dense Media Separation, pre-concentration, followed by magnetic separation and flotation
- Sample
- ore variability test programme T3032; 10 composites representing each major resource zone and lithology
- Grind P80
- 150 µm
Recovery
- Recovery
- 75.3 %
- Recovery Basis
- actual_test
- Head Grade Unit
- % Li2O
Lab
- Laboratory
- Nagrom Laboratories
- Consultant
- Minsol Engineering
Location
- Loc. Confidence
- inferred
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Reasoning: Average recovery of 75.3% at 150 micron is the headline metallurgical result and indicates the optimised flowsheet is performing well.
Positive factors
- average recovery achieved for all composites
- process performance optimised at a 42% coarser grind size
- company links this to capital and operating cost savings
Negative factors
- two of ten samples still pending finalisation
- full results to be released later
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
flotationBarroso Lithium Project · lithiumRecovery: 79.2 %Head 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
- flotation
- Processing Route
- Dense Media Separation, pre-concentration, followed by magnetic separation and flotation
- Sample
- ore variability test programme T3032; 10 composites representing each major resource zone and lithology
- Grind P80
- 150 µm
Recovery
- Recovery
- 79.2 %
- Recovery Basis
- actual_test
- Head Grade Unit
- % Li2O
Lab
- Laboratory
- Nagrom Laboratories
- Consultant
- Minsol Engineering
Location
- Loc. Confidence
- inferred
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Reasoning: The 79.2% maximum recovery at 150 micron is a strong result and reinforces the benefit of the coarser grind.
Positive factors
- upper end of the reported range at 150 micron
- supports the coarser grind optimisation
Negative factors
- summary result only
- not stated as all composites
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
flotationBarroso Lithium Project · lithiumRecovery: 75.4 %Head 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
- flotation
- Processing Route
- Dense Media Separation, pre-concentration, followed by magnetic separation and flotation
- Sample
- ore variability test programme T3032; 10 composites representing each major resource zone and lithology
- Grind P80
- 212 µm
Recovery
- Recovery
- 75.4 %
- Recovery Basis
- actual_test
- Head Grade Unit
- % Li2O
Lab
- Laboratory
- Nagrom Laboratories
- Consultant
- Minsol Engineering
Location
- Loc. Confidence
- inferred
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Reasoning: A 75.4% minimum recovery at 212 micron is encouraging because it implies the process may tolerate a much coarser grind, although only four composites were reported.
Positive factors
- recovery remains strong at an even coarser grind
- suggests potential for lower grinding costs
- results filtered for 4 of the 10 composites tested
Negative factors
- dataset is incomplete
- results only for 4 of 10 composites
- comparability to full programme is limited
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
flotationBarroso Lithium Project · lithiumRecovery: 79.5 %Head 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
- flotation
- Processing Route
- Dense Media Separation, pre-concentration, followed by magnetic separation and flotation
- Sample
- ore variability test programme T3032; 10 composites representing each major resource zone and lithology
- Grind P80
- 212 µm
Recovery
- Recovery
- 79.5 %
- Recovery Basis
- actual_test
- Head Grade Unit
- % Li2O
Lab
- Laboratory
- Nagrom Laboratories
- Consultant
- Minsol Engineering
Location
- Loc. Confidence
- inferred
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Reasoning: The 79.5% average recovery at 212 micron is a strong result, but it is based on a subset of composites so it should be treated cautiously.
Positive factors
- average recovery at 212 micron is high
- supports the statement that doubling grind size may work for part of the resource
- implies significant cost saving potential
Negative factors
- only 4 of 10 composites were included in this filtered result
- not a complete project-wide average
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.