E3 Lithium Commissions Lithium Carbonate Reactors for On-Site Demonstration
- 30-Sep-2024 12:27 PM
- Journalist: Jung Hoon
E3 Lithium Ltd., a prominent figure in Canada's lithium industry, has successfully commissioned its demonstration-scale carbonate conversion reactors. These reactors allow the company to produce lithium carbonate using smaller-scale equipment that mirrors the temperature and chemical conditions of a commercial system. This achievement represents a significant advancement in E3 Lithium’s plan to establish a dependable lithium production facility in Alberta, Canada. The reactors are part of a broader initiative to confirm key operational parameters in the laboratory before moving to a full-scale demonstration at the company’s future facility.
The commissioning process involved a series of tests designed to validate the efficiency and reliability of the reactors, consistently meeting the necessary reaction conditions. This milestone follows E3 Lithium’s recent expansion of its Calgary-based laboratory, which now houses advanced equipment aimed at producing high-quality battery-grade lithium carbonate. The lab has been focused on acquiring the necessary equipment and refining processes and procedures to ensure operations are both safe and efficient.
Looking ahead, E3 Lithium plans to continue optimizing its operations to scale up lithium carbonate production effectively. The company’s future testing will prioritize enhancing the accuracy, cost-efficiency, and flexibility of its processes, with a focus on producing battery-grade lithium carbonate from the concentrate it generated at its pilot facility last year.
Chris Doornbos, President and CEO of E3 Lithium, emphasized the importance of this accomplishment, stating, “This achievement expands our in-house capabilities from advancing direct lithium extraction (DLE) to producing battery-grade lithium carbonate.” He noted that the expansion of the Calgary lab, along with the installation of advanced equipment, has significantly improved the company's engineering processes, offering more efficiency and reduced costs.
These developments bolster E3 Lithium’s efforts to create a reliable and competitive lithium supply chain in Alberta, aligning with the growing demand for battery-grade lithium across North America. The company's advancements not only strengthen its position in the lithium market but also contribute to meeting the rising demand for battery materials driven by the increasing adoption of electric vehicles and renewable energy solutions.
E3 Lithium is a development company with substantial lithium resources, holding 16.2 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) in Measured and Indicated resources and 0.9 million tonnes in Inferred resources in Alberta, alongside an additional 2.5 million tonnes of Inferred LCE resources in Saskatchewan. The Clearwater Pre-Feasibility Study revealed 1.13 million tonnes of proven and probable lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) mineral reserves. It projected a pre-tax net present value (NPV) at an 8% discount rate of USD 5.2 billion, along with a 29.2% internal rate of return (IRR). After-tax, the NPV8% is estimated at USD 3.7 billion, yielding a 24.6% IRR.
E3 Lithium aims to manufacture high-purity, battery-grade lithium products to facilitate the rapidly expanding electric revolution. With its vast lithium resources and cutting-edge technology, the company is well-positioned to bring lithium to market from one of the most favorable regions in the world.