Medaro Mining has identified several new methods to purify lithium carbonate from spodumene concentrate as part of its testing process.

The Vancouver-based company now has plans to test these methods "in the new future."

"Recent results of our benchtop laboratory test work indicate the likelihood of at least three approaches to processing spodumene concentrates that are clearly superior to all technologies in current commercial application," chief technology officer James Blencoe said.

Developing these alternative methods will give Medaro licensees "the ability to choose the specific spodumene processing method that best suits their needs and goals."

The company will now focus on optimising its process and developing products. It is preparing its first provisional patent application which will include two similar but separate methods for processing spodumene concentrates.

The processes will deliver high-value lithium, aluminium, and silicon dioxide.

The recent tests have also improved the lithium carbonate purity level produced by the current protest. Previous tests generated 99.91% pure lithium carbonate, while recent tests have improved the purity to 99.98%.

The new methods identified by Medaro's lab tests could lead to production with purity of greater than 99.99% lithium carbonate, the company said.

Medaro has been testing its process with spodumene sourced from current and prospective lithium producers. The company aims to demonstrate that its technology can process spodumene concentrate from a variety of geographic locations.

The company said in January that its spodumene processing technology had been proven to purify lithium in an economically viable way.