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Lilac’s demonstration plant is en route to Lake Resources’ Kachi lithium project
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Clean lithium developer Lake Resources is shipping its modular demonstration plant from California to the Kachi Project in Argentina following the building of the plant and test work by technical partner, Lilac Solutions.
Lake (ASX:LKE) says the plant, once commissioned onsite, will operate for around three to four months to produce lithium chloride (eluate) representing 2.5 tonnes of lithium carbonate.
This will be converted into high purity battery quality lithium carbonate for potential offtake partners and battery qualification later in the year.
The demonstration plant operations on site will also inform final engineering design prior to construction of the commercial-scale project.
Lilac Solutions has assembled the ion exchange modules and supporting equipment for the demonstration plant within five 40 ft (12m) shipping containers with its modular design allowing for a “plug and play” approach, once brine feed, power and reagents are connected.
Technology reduces costs and boosts lithium recovery
“Our technology is truly disruptive – we’ve created a unique technology for lithium extraction which we strongly believe will reduce operating costs and boost lithium recovery for production of lithium chemicals from the Kachi brines,” Lilac’s CEO Dave Snydacker said.
“The production process is lower cost and offers higher lithium recovery rates of 80-90 percent to produce battery quality lithium carbonate, while also protecting the local environment, including water resource.”
Lilac is well supported after a US$150 million Series B financing in September 2021. New investors included SK Materials, BMW and Sumitomo, Lowercarbon Capital and funds advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc, together with existing investors, the Bill Gates-led Breakthrough Energy Ventures and MIT’s The Engine fund.
Meanwhile, test work at Lilac Solutions’ facility in California continues to produce the data required for the definitive feasibility study and lithium carbonation test work continues at Hazen Research in Colorado.
This article was developed in collaboration with Lake 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.
