ASX-listed Lithium Energy says a scoping study has outlined conventional solar pond evaporation as a “suitable methodology” for development at the company’s Solaroz lithium brine project in Argentina.
Management says pond evaporation is a tried and tested method used on the Olaroz Salar by giant global lithium neighbours Allkem and Lithium Americas Corporation for battery-grade lithium carbonate production. And it has also confirmed that its study has indicated the potential at Solaroz to pursue the alternative direct lithium extraction (DLE) method, giving it valuable choice in terms of possible development pathways.
The potential of the company’s project has clearly also caught the attention of several major third parties active in the electric vehicle (EV) battery sector, with management also revealing it has received multiple approaches seeking strategic partnership or investment opportunities at Solaroz. Negotiations for any such partnerships are ongoing.
Lithium Energy, in conjunction with global professional services firm Hatch, expects to deliver the full results of its ongoing scoping study in the next quarter, including production targets and project economics.
The company recently released a maiden mineral resource of 3.3 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), averaging 310mg/l lithium, including a high-grade core of 1.34 million tonnes LCE with an average concentration of 405mg/l lithium.
Management says lithium production through traditional brine evaporation techniques represents a well-established and widely-adopted production methodology in the industry. The process begins with the extraction of lithium-rich brine from underground reservoirs and once extracted, the brine is directed into a series of shallow ponds designed for controlled evaporation.
Evaporation ponds allow nature to take its course as sunlight and wind work together to gradually reduce the water content of the brine. As the brine evaporates, it undergoes a series of chemical transformations, causing the concentration of lithium and other valuable minerals to increase.
To further enhance lithium recovery, additives may be introduced at various stages to facilitate the precipitation of impurities. The process continues for several months, during which time the lithium concentration in the remaining brine steadily rises.
Once the brine has reached the desired lithium concentration, it is transferred to processing facilities, where lithium is extracted through a combination of chemical processes, including precipitation and filtration. Traditional brine evaporation techniques are valued for their efficiency, cost-effectiveness and minimal environmental impact, making them a well-recognised methodology for lithium production.
Just last week, Lithium Energy hit solid results from the first step-out drillhole outside its recently-released maiden resource at its Solaroz lithium brine project in Argentina, with a grade of 386 milligrams per litre.
Assay results confirmed a 24m intersection from the seventh hole sunk at the company’s Payo 1 concession and to the north of the previously-identified mineral resource area.
The Solaroz brine project takes in about 12,000 hectares in South America’s renowned “Lithium Triangle”. The zone is projected to host about a third of the world’s lithium resources in underground bodies of fluid known as brines and is nestled between Argentina, Bolivia and Chile.
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