Anson Resources Ltd (ASX:ASN, OTCQB:ANSNF) will collaborate with Koch Technology Solutions (KTS) to commission a Li-Pro™ lithium selective sorption (LSS) pilot unit for lithium extraction at the company’s Green River Project in Utah, USA, with pilot unit production on track to begin next month.
Results from the pilot unit will provide important inputs for a potential full-scale Li-Pro™ unit at Green River's lithium extraction facility.
This pilot will be jointly funded by Anson Resources and an investment from KTS — a Koch Engineered Solutions (KES) company — as the companies work to develop a further commercial relationship and expedite the commissioning of the pilot unit.
The parties have agreed on a cost-sharing framework involving an investment by KTS through a convertible note to cover the Green River Lithium Project piloting development.
KTS completed a detailed treatability study in May 2024 using brine from Anson’s Green River project. Its testing indicated exceptional results for lithium recovery and element rejection rates and suggests superior results to those achieved in Anson's definitive feasibility study (DFS).
Anson is now determining any revisions to capex and opex from the results achieved.
The pilot unit is expected to be operational next month at Anson’s private land in Green River, Utah, processing fresh brine under commercial production conditions from the Bosydaba#1 well into lithium chloride, that may be used to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate.
This unit will run 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the next two to four months and will process fresh brine from the company’s Bosydaba#1 well into lithium chloride, replicating commercial production conditions. The unit is in addition to Anson’s operational sample demonstration plant (SDP) at Green River that utilises the existing flow sheet.
The two direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies will be tested concurrently using brine collected during the drilling program of Bosydaba#1. Notably, test results of the brine collected from the Leadville Formation, Mississippian Units indicated lower levels of contaminants, higher porosity and higher pressure than at the Paradox Lithium Project.
"A step change"
Anson Resources executive chairman and CEO Bruce Richardson said: “Anson Resources is focused on fast-tracking the development of our Green River Lithium Project. This announcement highlights our commitment to accelerating development while enhancing both project returns and environmental credentials.
"Partnering with one of the USA’s preeminent technology providers, KTS, a leader in delivering commercialised lithium extraction processes, significantly reduces project risk through their advanced technology and engineering experience.
“Importantly, our recent drilling work at Bosydaba#1 provides the ability to supply fresh brine identical to real operating conditions. This is a step-change for the company and will allow us to super-charge development, comparing the output of the existing DLE extraction and the KTS Li-Pro™ process to achieve the best results for our investors.
“The brine is slightly different to that of the Paradox Lithium Project and several US companies have technologies that can be applied to extract the lithium from the brine.
"At this stage of the Green River Lithium Project, we are looking at several technologies that can provide the company with the best outcome for extraction and the downstream purification to electric vehicle-grade lithium carbonate.
“The development of the sample demonstration plant provides the utilities and other infrastructure needed to conduct test work with technology providers and we are delighted that KTS has agreed to locate this pilot unit at our Green River site, and we look forward to a long and productive relationship.
“Ensuring domestic supply has been a critical focus of the company and today’s announcement is a significant step towards Anson Resources building a commercial scale battery-grade lithium carbonate plant.”
US domestic potential
KTS commercial director - Americas Martin Rizo said: “Green River has the potential to become a key US domestic battery-grade lithium carbonate project.
"The site’s existing infrastructure and strategic location combined with A1 Lithium’s lithium extraction experience will support KTS in efficiently delivering and operating our Li-Pro™ pilot unit.
"KTS is excited to be a part of this significant opportunity in the US domestic lithium supply chain.
The KTS Li-Pro™ process
KTS’ Li-Pro™ process is used in other operational pilot facilities elsewhere in North America. KTS has announced that the Li-Pro™ process is being used in its commercial-scale lithium extraction demonstration plant near El Dorado, Arkansas. That plant was commissioned in April 2024 and is believed to be the largest continuously operating DLE facility in North America.
If the initial pilot work is successful and if Anson Resources and KTS mutually agree to move into a commercial Li-Pro™ unit, further costs could be funded through additional investment from KTS.