Greisen formation is associated with the cooling of a highly fractionated H2O-rich granitic intrusion and the enrichment of incompatible volatile elements in the upper part of the intrusion such as F, Cl, B and Li during fractional crystallization. The main evolution stages of greisenized granitoids are as follows: (1) solidification and fissuring, followed by (2) formation of pegmatites (stockscheider) and K-feldspathization (microclinization), (3) Na-feldspathization (albitization), (4) greisenization and hydrothermal alteration (sericitic alteration and / or kaolinization) and final (5) formation of veins (SHCHERBA, 1970 [369]; POLLARD, 1983 [360]).

The Zinnwald / Cínovec deposit is a typical example of a granite hosted greisen deposit. Among a number of general characteristic features fulfilled by the ore deposit, most relevant for the classification as a greisen is the existence of subsequent post-magmatic alteration stages including greisenization in the endo-contact. The mineral assemblage of quartz, Li-F-mica (zinnwaldite), topaz, fluorite and the associated ore minerals cassiterite and wolframite prove the affiliation to this deposit type. The flat dipping greisen ore bodies are marked by the absence of feldspar indicating a complete succession of greisenization of the host rocks. Mineralogical and petrological characterization of the different rock types was conducted by macroscopic observation of outcrops (above and below ground), drill core (historic ........

The mining operation for the Project is planned as an underground mine development using a main ramp for the access to the mine and for ore transportation from the mine to the surface and straight to Freiberg, 50 km away from Zinnwald. The mine technology will be a common load-haul-dump (LHD) room and pillar technology with subsequent backfill using self-hardening material. Furthermore, the design of the underground mine has to consider that there are no impacts on the surface.

Based on the key figures of the overall project, the mine has to be designed for an annual output of 1,800 t of Li metal. With reference to the reserve estimation (see Item 15) this corresponds to an annual ore production between 500.000 to 600.000 t.

The inclined development ramps are planned with a cross section of 5.0 by 4.5 m and will be constructed along the footwall boundaries of the ore bodies by conventional drilling and blasting technology. The different sublevels are planned in a vertical distance of 8.0 m. At first, a sublevel crosscut will be prepared through the ore body up to its hanging wall boundary. With respect to the mining technique, turning radii are to be met for the development ramps with an inner radius of not less than 6 m and an outer radius not less than 11 m. In the extraction level the inner radius should not be below 5 m.

With respect to the best possible adjustment to the deposit structure and the prevention of mining losses, a mining te ........

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The Zinnwald Lithium Process Plant is designed to process 573,362 t/a of ROM feed, at an average grade of 0.314 wt.% Li, to produce a minimum 5,112 t/a of battery grade LiF (equivalent to 7,285 t/a LCE or 8,274 t/a LiOH·H2O) and 31,950 t/a of K2SO4 byproduct. The potassium sulfate produced is expected to be sold as a sulfate of potash (SOP) fertilizer.

Magnetic Separation
The magnetic separation circuit is fed by belt conveyor which feeds the material onto a drag conveyor. This conveyor distributes the complete material flow equally to 9 magnetic separator lines, each line consists of two magnetic separator units. The drag conveyor is equipped with nine slide gates so that each line can be isolated. Below the slide gates, every line has a feed hopper which serves as a buffer for the magnetic separators and enables the material distribution to the several lines.

The magnetic separators consist of three stages. The first stage includes magnetic drum separators ........