High recoveries achieved from Lanshen’s testwork highlights the use of DLE as a potentially alternative or complementary development pathway for Solaroz. Pic via Getty Images
Mining
Special Report: A 10,000L laboratory test work program undertaken by Xi’an Lanshen New Material Technology Co has exceeded expectations, achieving resin recovery of 92% lithium from Solaroz brine.
Lithium Energy (ASX:LEL) ticked off another important step in the development process for Lanshen’s design of a demonstration direct lithium extraction (DLE) plant at its Solaroz lithium brine project in Argentina after achieving a resin recovery of 92%.
The laboratory test work program – currently focusing on final impurity removal and production of concentrated high purity lithium chloride and lithium carbonate samples – is central to LEL’s plan to produce up to 3,000tpa of battery-grade lithium carbonate at Solaroz.
Following these highly positive results, LEL is now proceeding with the next phase of test work to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate from the Lanshen DLE concentrated brine.
While conventional pond evaporation remains the base development case for Solaroz, the high recoveries achieved from Lanshen’s test work highlights the use of DLE as a potentially alternative or complimentary development pathway for Solaroz.
“These results prove that the high quality of the Solaroz brine performs well both with traditional pond evaporation and with Lanshen propriety DLE adsorbent resin technology,” LEL chairman William Johnson says.
“We now have the confidence to continue with further test work and plan for the commencement of a Lanshen Pilot Plant test work program, which will be the final step required by Lanshen to finalise the design, capex and performance parameters for the proposed Lanshen funded 3,000tpa demonstration plant at Solaroz.”
The next phase of the Lanshen laboratory test work program will test the Lanshen DLE technology based on iron-exchange (IX) resins for the removal of low quantities of impurity ions in the product stream.
These include low levels of magnesium, calcium and boron, where the end-product will be a high-purity lithium chloride solution, which will be used to produce the battery-grade lithium carbonate final product.
LEL is finalising plans to install the Pilot Plant in Jujuy, where it will operate with Solaroz brines over a 12-week period to finalise the design parameters for the proposed 3,000tpa LCE plant.
This article was developed in collaboration with Lithium Energy, 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.
