Fulcrum Lithium Ltd (ASX: FUL) has released a maiden mineral resource estimate for its Alkali Flats project in Nevada, identifying a total of 10.7 million tonnes of contained Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE). The estimate comprises 3.57 billion tonnes at 563ppm lithium, with 40% of the total resource classified in the higher-confidence Measured and Indicated categories, totaling 4.3 million tonnes of LCE.

The resource is hosted within a continuous 48-square-kilometre area of claystone, with mineralisation extending up to 147 metres thick. Management noted that the project structure allows for potential future upgrades to the resource classification, particularly in the shallower, higher-grade zones identified at the south-eastern portion of the property.

"The Alkali Flats maiden mineral resource estimate (MRE) is an outstanding result for Fulcrum. To deliver such a large-scale resource, that the Company set out to deliver from IPO, is a credit to the team that identified the potential of the project and efficiently delivered the exploration and appraisal programs over the last 18 months."

— Scott Keenan, COO

The company is now transitioning its technical focus toward project economics. Ongoing work includes a multi-pathway metallurgical test work program intended to identify low-cost processing options for the claystone-hosted deposit. This follows initial testing that achieved lithium extraction rates of up to 96%. A specific timeline for the completion of these metallurgical studies has not been disclosed.

Read the full announcement: Alkali Flats Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate