GCICleanTech Lithium expects DLE plant to commence operations in 1H23
( ), a Chile-focused lithium explorer, has announced an update on direct lithium extraction (DLE) processing work completed at its Laguna Verde and Francisco Basin projects in Chile.
CleanTech Lithium has partnered with DLE specialists SunResin for this processing work.
CleanTech Lithium said bulk samples of brine collected from sub-surface aquifers at Laguna Verde and Francisco Basin have been dispatched to SunResin's facilities in China. SunResin will undertake DLE trials as per the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) executed in August 2022 between the two companies.
Results will provide key data on DLE parameters that will inform feasibility studies. Previous trials on surface brines from both projects have produced positive results, the company said. CleanTech has also ordered a small-scale DLE demo unit from SunResin that will arrive in Chile in approx. 2 weeks.
Additionally, CleanTech said it received an attractive proposal from SunResin for the DLE unit of a pilot plant expected to produce 1 tonne/month of battery-grade lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide, targeted to commence in 1H 2023. The pilot plant is intended to replicate commercial-scale production and provide sufficient volumes of product for testing by potential major customers, including Li-Ion battery producers and auto makers.
Aldo Boitano, CEO of Cleantech Lithium, commented: "We are delighted to move forward our process test-work with SunResin on multiple fronts including trials on brine from the sub-surface aquifers of our Laguna Verde and Francisco Basin projects, ordering of a DLE demo unit which will arrive in Chile this month and receiving a proposal for the DLE unit for a pilot plant that will produce battery grade lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide for customer testing and verification."
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CleanTech's schedule to production is moving at a rapid pace with DLE test work in progress from both sites in Chile, and a pilot plant DLE unit expected to commence operations in 1H 2023. CleanTech has already produced battery-grade lithium using DLE processes.
The pilot plant will have an expected feed rate of approx. 2.6m3 per hour and a planned output of 1 tonne of LCE per month. This quantity will be sufficient for advanced testing by multiple potential customers, including Li-Ion battery producers and vertically integrated auto-makers. The DLE unit will take 20-26 weeks for manufacturing, delivery, and commissioning.
The pilot plant is to be located at Maricunga, which is roughly an equal distance of approximately 50km from both projects (see map above). Maricunga has existing power and other infrastructure required for the plant and connects to Laguna Verde with a paved highway and to Francisco Basin with a high-quality haul road. At the commercial scale, DLE plants are expected to be located at the project sites.
Ten days ago, CleanTech Lithium reported a maiden JORC resource estimate of 0.53m for Francsico Basin, bringing the total LCE resource across the company's two projects to over 2 million tonnes LCE.
CleanTech Lithium said a further 3 wells would commence in the coming weeks at Francisco Basin, paving the way for a potentially significant expansion in the resource estimate in 1Q 2023. A scoping study will also commence at the site in 4Q 2022 for an expected base case production rate of 20,000 tonnes LCE per year.
Based on results so far this year, CleanTech Lithium is well-positioned for continued growth into 4Q 2022 and 2023. In the short amount of time since its IPO in March, the company has moved at a fast pace through its work programmes at Laguna Verde and Francisco Basin, and added a third asset at Llamara, offering significant exploration potential. An initial well at Llamara is expected in 4Q 2022.
CleanTech has also indicated active interest in its projects from potential strategic or future offtake partners. CleanTech said it is in early-stage discussions with companies of "substantial scale", including car manufacturers, trading houses, battery manufacturers, and large mining companies.
Investors have rewarded the company for its efforts, sending shares up 50% since IPO.
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