EnergyX has commissioned the largest direct lithium extraction (DLE) production plant at Project Lonestar in the US, marking a major milestone toward commercial-scale domestic lithium production.
The Lonestar demonstration plan is operational and will be producing around 250 metric tonnes of battery-grade lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) per year using EnergyX’s patented GET-LitTM direct lithium extraction and refining technology.
This plan serves as the first DLE plant in Texas.
CEO Teague Egan says that bringing this plant online is a “foundational milestone” both for the company and for US domestic lithium production overall.
“This facility not only validates the performance of our technology on an industrial scale under real-world conditions, but also establishes EnergyX as the lowest cost producer in the US,” Egan says.
“Ultimately this benefits all our customers who need large volumes of lithium for EV and ESS applications, as well as any lithium resource owners looking to implement best-in-class DLE technology whom we are happy to license to.”
EnergyX notes that lithium is currently a “choke point” in the US, with China controlling around 70-75% of global lithium chemical conversion capacity. Until now, it has been uneconomic for more ex-China converters to operate or reach investment decisions.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz recognised the company’s progress with the plant, congratulating them on the “first-of-its kind” lithium processing facility in the state.
“The lithium produced at Project Lonestar will help bolster US energy security and defense readiness by supplying the critical materials needed for batteries used in critical military technology.”
EnergyX notes that Project Lonestar provides a scalable, cost-competitive domestic refining pathway, directly addressing the refining bottleneck seen across the critical minerals landscape in the US.
Write to Amy Rotman at Mining.com.au
Images: EnergyX
