European Metals Holdings said lithium hydroxide monohydrate has been successfully produced in a test during the recent larger-scale Cinovec pilot programme.
Keith Coughlan. EMH’s executive chairman, added: "We are extremely pleased with the results from the lithium hydroxide test program.
“The lithium hydroxide produced was of the highest grade possible and exceptionally clean.
“This, when combined with the ability to produce either battery-grade lithium carbonate or hydroxide, enables a wider range of off-takers for the Cinovec product."
EMH added that the pilot converted crude lithium carbonate into battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate at a laboratory scale.
Ore used for the test was fully representative in all respects of the run-of-mine for the first seven years of mining planned at Cinovec, added the statement, including average grade and expected rock-type mix from the bulk mining,
The high-purity lithium sulphate solution produced is capable of being used to produce either lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide, EMH added, with a straightforward process to produce battery-grade material.
Lithium hydroxide monohydrate can be made either directly, or indirectly via re-processing the first stage crude lithium carbonate, EMH added.
EMH is developing Cinovec (in the Czech Republic) through a joint venture with state-owned utility CEZ.