A strategic Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between Jindalee Lithium Ltd (ASX:JLL, OTCQX:JNDAF)’s wholly owned US subsidiary HiTech Minerals, Inc. and Ames National Laboratory has been approved by the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, positioning it within the DOE’s Critical Materials Innovation (CMI) Hub.
The agreement aims to develop cutting-edge extraction methods for Jindalee's 100%- owned McDermitt Lithium Project, the largest lithium resource in the US and the significant Federal and State support for the project, highlights its strategic importance to the US.
CRADA will centre on extensive research to characterise lithium and other critical minerals, as well as conducting testing aimed at developing innovative, commercially viable extraction methods within the McDermitt Caldera.
This region hosts Jindalee’s McDermitt Lithium Project, the largest lithium resource in the US, containing 21.5 million tonnes (Mt) of lithium carbonate equivalent.
Primary objectives
The research will be led by the Critical Materials Institute, alongside key partners, including the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), Oregon State University, University of Nevada Reno, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the National Energy Technology Laboratory.
The team will focus on testing innovative metallurgical extraction methods to reduce costs, optimise sustainability, and minimise environmental impacts, while exploring the potential of co-products.
Primary objectives include lowering water usage, reducing acid consumption, and minimising the need for tailings impoundments. The DOE will fund the work carried out by CMI under the CRADA, while Jindalee will provide technical input, sample materials, and data as part of its in-kind contribution.
The initiative has garnered strong support from Senator Ron Wyden, who champions national policies on renewable energy, energy storage and clean energy technologies, as demonstrated in his 2022 Clean Energy for America Act.
“Mining for the metals that are key to a clean energy future must be done in the most sustainable way possible. I’m glad this agreement has been achieved for Oregon State University and other partners to perform a rigorous analysis of environmental impacts, costs and potential additional options,” Wyden said.
Major step forward for Jindalee
The project is expected to be completed within two years, with quarterly internal deliverables and a final report summarising key outcomes. These tasks include detailed characterisation of the clay mineralogy, testing novel extraction methods, and developing hypothetical co-product flowsheets.
“This CRADA represents a major step forward for Jindalee and our McDermitt Project and we thank Senator Wyden and other advocates for their support,” Jindalee CEO Ian Rodger said.
“The collaboration with the Department of Energy, leading research institutions and DOGAMI (being the Oregon State permitting agency) is an exciting endorsement of our project’s immense potential and strategic importance to the US.
"By combining our respective technical expertise with the DOE’s resources, we're poised to develop efficient and sustainable extraction methods that have the potential to build upon the significant work Jindalee has already completed as part of our pre-feasibility study (PFS), which is due later this year.”
CMI aims to optimise critical material usage
The Critical Materials Institute is an innovation hub under the United States Department of Energy and led by Ames National Laboratory. It is focused on developing scientific and technological solutions to secure resilient supply chains for rare-earth metals and other critical materials essential to clean energy technologies.
CMI’s mission is to optimise material usage while reducing reliance on resources that are vulnerable to supply chain disruptions.
These materials are vital for maintaining American competitiveness in the clean energy sector, playing a crucial role in technologies such as wind turbines, solar panels, electric vehicles, and energy-efficient lighting.
Initially, CMI concentrated on rare earth elements like dysprosium, terbium, and neodymium.
In 2019, its scope expanded to include battery materials such as lithium, cobalt, and manganese. Through collaborations with industry and academic institutions, CMI strives to reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, while meeting growing demand for innovative energy solutions.