Lithium Universe Ltd (ASX:LU7) has appointed world-renowned lithium expert Dr Jingyuan Liu as a non-executive director as it weighs up the development of a vertically integrated mine to battery-grade lithium carbonate hub in Québec, Canada.
Widely regarded as a leading technical expert in the lithium industry, Dr Liu has been tasked with considering Lithium Universe’s Québec Lithium Processing Hub strategy in the province’s lithium-rich James Bay region.
He shares the company’s vision of becoming the preferred downstream solution for small to mid-sized lithium mining operations in Canada, whose battery-grade lithium carbonate target markets span Canada, the United States and Europe.
Lithium carbonate “go to expert”
Dr Liu has 30 years of experience in project management, process and equipment design for minerals processing and in the chemicals, non-ferrous metals, iron and steel and energy industries, both in Australia and internationally.
Previously the general manager of development and technologies at Galaxy Resources, Dr Liu oversaw the construction and commissioning of the world-renowned Jiangsu Lithium Carbonate plant, now owned by Tianqi Lithium Corp. He also played a key role in designing the flow sheet for the Sal de Vida brine project in Argentina.
Following his work with Galaxy, he has acted as a special adviser to various lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide projects globally, including the lithium hydroxide plant operated by Tianqi in Kwinana, WA.
Dr Liu is currently the chief technology officer for Altech Batteries Ltd (ASX:ATC), developing high-capacity silicon anode lithium-ion batteries as well as sodium chloride solid-state batteries, and has worked in senior chemical engineering roles with leading companies such as Hatch Engineering and Metso Minerals in Australia and Malaysia.
"Right-hand man"
Lithium Universe chairman Iggy Tan said, “Dr Liu is well known in the lithium industry as the ‘go to expert’ in lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide technology.
"Dr Jingyuan Liu's appointment as non-executive director to the Board of Directors of Lithium Universe Limited is a significant move that further enhances the board's expertise in the lithium industry, with Jingyuan having served as a special adviser for numerous lithium projects globally.
"With his expertise in operating the Jiangsu Lithium Carbonate Plant and being my right-hand man during our time at Galaxy, LU7 is fortunate to have such a critical lithium professional on the board.”