Lithium Energy Ltd (ASX:LEL) is forging ahead with metallurgical testwork programs at its flagship Solaroz Lithium Brine Project in Argentina.
The company is collaborating with Norlab S.R.L, a company with leading expertise in lithium brine evaporation, and the Alex Stewart laboratories on comprehensive testwork aimed at optimising lithium extraction and battery-grade lithium carbonate production.
A step closer
With these advancements, Lithium Energy is a step closer to establishing the Solaroz Project as a formidable lithium production facility within South America's renowned Lithium Triangle.
Norlab's scope of work consists of a multi-faceted testwork program, including the verification of ion balances in the brine, detailing salt precipitation conditions, and determining specific freshwater and reagent consumption.
The Alex Stewart Laboratory, based in San Salvador Jujuy, Argentina, will assist in chemical assay and analysis.
In addition to the laboratory-based tests, on-site evaporation pond testwork is in progress.
Test ponds have been installed on the Solaroz site to validate local environmental conditions and real-time evaporation rates, and the results gleaned from these will inform the process design during the next phase of feasibility studies.
Alternative production pathways
Parallel to the conventional evaporation tests, Lithium Energy is also evaluating Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology, principally through an agreement with Xi’an Lanshen New Material Technology Co. Ltd.
Preliminary bench-scale tests have already instilled confidence in Lanshen’s DLE technology, prompting further laboratory pilot-scale testwork.
The project's dual approach of traditional evaporation and DLE testwork offers alternative production pathways, providing an avenue for increased operational flexibility.
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