Anson to test Direct Lithium Extraction tech at Green River

Anson Resources starting pilot for alternative direct lithium extraction technology at Green River
Koch Technology Solutions’ Li-Pro process pilot to be tested round the clock for up to four months
Success could provide detailed feasibility engineering and cost data for deployment of the full-scale Li-Pro process

Special Report: Anson Resources is working with Koch Technology Solutions to test a Li-Pro process pilot unit for direct lithium extraction at its Green River project in Utah.

The Green River project holds target clastic zones geologically similar to those at Anson Resources’ (ASX:ASN) flagship Paradox project, ~50km away.

These clastic zones contribute 406,000t of contained lithium carbonate equivalent to the total resource of 1.5Mt contained LCE at Paradox, making it a potentially lucrative development opportunity.

Green River also has an exploration target of 2Bt–2.6Bt of brines grading 100ppm-150ppm lithium and 2,000ppm-3,000ppm bromine.

Recent work at the project includes the successful extraction of brine from Green River’s Mississippian Units (>255.55m thick) and continued to flow into the tubing after a sampling period without the need of “breaking down” the formation.

This indicated high pressure and porosity – two key things that assists with extraction – and further confirmed Anson’s expectations that Green River is the site of its next lithium project.

ASN also received in May approval to appropriate 0.54 cubic meters per second of brine to run through the lithium extraction process.

Li-Pro is used in other operational pilot facilities elsewhere in North America including the commercial-scale lithium extraction demonstration plant near El Dorado, Arkansas, that was commissioned in April.

Anson Resources (ASX:ASN) — The Li-Pro process. Pic: Koch Technology Solutions

Pilot testing

Under the agreement, ASN will collaborate with Koch Technology Solutions (KTS) to commission its Li-Pro process pilot unit for lithium extraction.

This will be jointly funded by the company and an investment from KTS through a convertible note.

KTS’ detailed treatability study completed in May 2024 on brine from Green River returned exceptional results for lithium recovery and element rejection rates.

These were in fact superior to those achieved in ASN’s definitive feasibility study with the company now in the process of determining any revisions to CAPEX and OPEX.

The pilot unit is expected to be operational in July 2024 and will process fresh brine from the project for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the next two to four months into lithium chloride, replicating commercial production conditions.

This is in addition to the operational sample demonstration plant that uses the existing flow sheet and which has already produced lithium carbonate.

“Anson Resources is focused on fast-tracking the development of our Green River Lithium Project,” executive chairman Bruce Richardson said.

“This announcement highlights our commitment to accelerating development while enhancing both Project returns and environmental credentials.

“Partnering with one of the USA’s preeminent technology providers, KTS, a leader in delivering commercialized lithium extraction processes, significantly reduces project risk through their advanced technology and engineering experience.

“Importantly, our recent drilling work at Bosydaba#11 provides the ability to supply fresh brine identical to real operating conditions. This is a step-change for the company and will allow us to super-charge development, comparing the output of the existing DLE extraction and the KTS Li-Pro™ process to achieve the best results for our investors.”

He added that Green River brine is slightly different to that of the Paradox project and the company was looking at several technologies that can provide the best outcome for extraction and the downstream purification to electric vehicle grade lithium carbonate.

“The development of the sample demonstration plant provides the utilities and other infrastructure that is needed to conduct test work with technology providers, and we are delighted that KTS has agreed to locate this pilot unit at our Green River site, and we look forward to a long a productive relationship,” Richardson added.

“Ensuring domestic supply has been a critical focus of the Company and today’s announcement is a significant step towards Anson Resources building a commercial scale battery grade lithium carbonate plant.”

The road ahead

Should the initial pilot be successful, ASN and KTS will move into a commercial Li-Pro unit with further costs funded through additional investment from KTS.

Results from the pilot unit will provide detailed feasibility engineering and cost data for deployment of the full-scale Li-Pro process at the proposed Green River lithium extraction facility.

This article was developed in collaboration with Anson Resources, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.