Mineral Resources (MinRes) is investigating next steps for a new LieNA technology that has the ability to process years’ worth of lithium tailings to harvest fine spodumene for refinement.
MinRes began a pilot program for the LieNA technology in March under a joint development agreement (JDA) with chemical raw materials manufacturer Livium (previously Lithium Australia).
During the LieNA process, fine spodumene is fed into an autoclave, where it reacts with caustic soda to form a synthetic lithium sodalite.
Lithium is then recovered from the sodalite via a simple, solid/liquid separation step.
With fine spodumene usually ending up in tailings, the LieNA process can boost extraction yields by up to 50 per cent over current market performance.
Now, Livium has completed the development and operation of a pilot plant where it has successfully refined lithium phosphate and carried out a plant engineering study.
Livium and MinRes are currently discussing next steps for the technology, which will include the size and scale of commercialisation.
“We are pleased with the results of the completed activities under the JDA which have provided positive and valuable insights into the LieNA technology including the potential for a new commercialisation pathway,” Livium managing director and chief executive officer Simon Linge said.
“Completion of these activities deepens our partnership with MinRes and we look forward to advancing this innovative technology towards commercialisation, delivering significant benefits to the hard rock lithium sector.
“We look forward to providing the outcomes of our discussions in the new year.”
LieNA is expected to be licensed to a semi-commercial facility that MinRes can elect to fund, develop and operate.
The larger plant will aim to extract lithium salt at a commercial scale, with implications for the wider lithium market, which is expected to rebound in the coming years as demand grows.
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