The company reported headline recoveries of up to 93.4% and a 7.1% lithium oxide concentrate grade.

By way of general comparison regarding the latter, Galaxy Resources last week reported concentrate grade of 5.5% lithium oxide from its operating Mt Cattlin mine.

While there is a world of difference between an operating mine and metallurgical testwork, Tawana is confident it has a promising development in the making.

“The Bald Hill lithium pegmatites contain very coarse, primary low iron spodumene that is proving highly acceptable to gravity separation at varying crush sizes and head grades,” Tawana said.

“Unlike secondary spodumene derived from petalite, coarse primary crystal spodumene ores for the most part do not require fine grinding. Bald Hill is expected to produce high-grade concentrates well suited for to the battery industry converters, with limited fines and without low grade petalite or lepidolite.”

Tawana is earning a 50% interest in Bald Hill from Singapore-listed Alliance Mineral Assets by spending $A20 million on feasibility work and capital investment.

The company started the year with $7 million, with the joint venture emerging in October 2016.

Bald Hill was initially developed as a tantalum operation.

Shares in Tawana closed Friday at 11.5c, capitalising the company at $43 million.

Tawana’s share price has doubled since last July.