Anson Resources Ltd (ASX:ASN) has ramped up lithium carbonate production at its sample demonstration plant to meet demand from potential offtake partners, while continuously producing lithium carbonate from brines from its Paradox Lithium Project in south-eastern Utah.
Anson’s sample demonstration plant at its Lithium Innovation Centre in Florida is producing battery-grade lithium carbonate, using the flowsheet designed by the company’s direct lithium extraction (DLE) partner, Sunresin.
The company has initially focused on replicating the DLE process developed by Sunresin, which is proposed for use in its lithium production plant at the Paradox Project. The solution would then be purified to electric vehicle battery-grade.
The production rate is steadily increasing and Anson is targeting one tonne per annum by the end of 2023, which will meet the Stage 1 and 2 supply qualification requirements of potential off-take partners.
Demand from potential EV offtake partners
The ramp-up of sample production is a key step in Anson’s qualification process with potential offtake partners ahead of securing long-term offtake agreements.
The lithium carbonate product from the sample demonstration plant will be supplied to vehicle manufacturers and their cathode active material (CAM) partners for testing as a part of the qualification process.
Anson says it is in ongoing discussions with vehicle manufactures, and is required to provide samples for test work with their CAM providers in a typically three-stage supply qualification process.
Qualification process progressing well
Anson executive chairman and CEO Bruce Richardson said: “Our qualification process for potential offtake partners is progressing very well. The DLE technology Anson has selected for the Paradox Lithium Project has been proven commercially, and now we are in process of providing battery-grade lithium carbonate samples to large vehicle manufactures and their CAMs in the USA as part of a structured supply qualification process in order to qualify as a supplier to these end-users.
“We are also using this as an opportunity to assess new technologies as they are developed and processes to improve lithium extraction and processing plant efficiencies as part of a continual improvement agenda at our Lithium Innovation Centre.
“It is very pleasing to see the demonstration plant fully operational and producing samples for electric vehicle manufacturers and their CAM providers to support our goal of signing off-take agreements, which in turn are needed for project financing.”