Canadian Energy Metals Corp. said it demonstrated a process for producing smelter-grade alumina (SGA), the primary feedstock for aluminum metal, from black shales at its Thor project near Tisdale in northeastern Saskatchewan. Tests converting boehmite produced from precursors associated with high-purity alumina (HPA) and chemical-grade alumina (CGA) generated samples with purity and specifications matching SGA produced through the Bayer process, the current industry standard for refining bauxite. CEM also formally launched a prefeasibility study (PFS) covering extraction, refining and smelting routes, resource confidence, preliminary capital and operating costs, logistics, infrastructure and markets, and whether Thor can advance to a full feasibility study. The company is continuing pilot work, process optimization and exploration while cautioning that the PEA remains conceptual, metallurgical results may not translate to pilot or commercial scale, and product comparisons do not constitute buyer or standards-body certification.