E3 Lithium (TSX-V:ETL) is ready to begin the second phase of its demonstration facility to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate in Canada, following the completion of well development and pump installation.
Phase two focuses on completing a reservoir production test to further delineate flow through the Leduc Reservoir and to collect water and gas chemistry data.
The reservoir test will inform the Reservoir Development Plan that is currently being completed and will result in a well and pipeline network design that informs well and pipeline permitting.
Brine and gas data collected will inform the design of the inlet and gas separation for the commercial facility. Information collected from this work is some of the last technical data required for the Feasibility Study that E3 is working through for the Clearwater Project.
The next focus
In parallel with phase two operations, E3 will set up for phase three of its demonstration facility, focusing on direct lithium extraction (DLE) testing.
Phase three will produce nearly 100 tonnes per year of lithium carbonate equivalent in lithium chloride that E3 can use to further its offtake discussions.
Operating the DLE technology at 1:1 scale to a commercial system, with brine moving ‘live’ through the process, validates the key parameters to financial institutions, strategic partners, offtakers, and the government.
This will form a critical component to secure project financing for the construction of the Clearwater Project’s first phase, which will produce 12,000 tonnes per year of lithium carbonate.
E3 will also procure the equipment for and build out the single column unit, supported through the Canadian Government’s Global Partnership Initiative C$36.5 million ($37.26 million) conditionally approved funding.
E3 Lithium is a Canadian lithium developer targeting more than 32,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide production supported by a 1.29-million-tonne lithium hydroxide monohydrate proven and probable reserve and a C$3.72 billion net present value from the Clearwater Project’s Prefeasibility Study.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: E3 Lithium
