LithiumBank Unveils Calgary Pilot Plants, Shaping Alberta's Lithium Future

LithiumBank Resources Corp. has successfully launched its Calgary pilot plant, representing a major milestone in the Company's efforts to tap into Alberta's vast lithium resources. This facility's testing outcomes are anticipated to play a crucial role in the feasibility phase of LithiumBank's strategic development plans. As the Company moves forward, these results will provide essential data and insights, supporting the transition towards full-scale commercial production, thereby positioning LithiumBank as a key player in the rapidly growing lithium market.

Paul Matysek, Executive Chairman of LithiumBank, expressed that the licensing of their pilot plant marks a significant milestone for the company. He emphasized the potential impact of their Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology in advancing a new resource industry in the province. Matysek highlighted the upcoming testing of brines from their Boardwalk and Park Place properties, which contain large inferred lithium resources. This development underscores LithiumBank's commitment to leveraging innovative technologies to explore and potentially exploit valuable lithium resources, contributing to the advancement of sustainable resource extraction practices.

Lithium is a critical component in lithium-ion batteries, essential for powering electric vehicles, and is also utilized in various products, including lubricants and pharmaceuticals. With the increasing demand for lithium driven by the growth of electric vehicle manufacturing, Canada has recognized lithium as a critical mineral.

Alberta boasts significant lithium reserves dissolved in formation waters associated with existing oil and gas fields.  LithiumBank leverages Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology to sustainably extract lithium from these brines, minimizing waste.  For pilot testing, lithium-rich brines will be sourced from operational oil wells in western Canada at LithiumBank's Boardwalk, Park Place, and Saskatchewan projects and transported to their new Calgary pilot plant for processing. The facility is designed to process 10,000 liters of lithium-containing brines per day, positioning it as one of the largest DLE pilot plants in North America.

The pilot program, scaled at approximately 1:5,000 relative to future commercial production modules, is expected to run for up to 18 months.

LithiumBank is utilizing proprietary Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology licensed from G2L Greenview Resources Ltd. ("G2L"). This DLE technology provides environmental and economic benefits over conventional lithium extraction methods from brines, delivering a clean, lithium-rich concentrate ready for further refining. The pilot project prioritizes evaluating critical performance metrics, including lithium recovery rate, selectivity, processing speed, and the purity of the resulting concentrate’s quality. This testing phase aims to confirm the commercial viability and scalability of LithiumBank’s unique integration of resource, process, and design.

Minister Jean highlighted LithiumBank’s pilot plant as a significant advancement for Alberta’s energy and mineral sector. He emphasized Alberta's leadership in ethically producing energy and its strategic focus on developing energy transition minerals. Minister Jean underscored the pilot plant's potential to meet rising global demand for lithium, crucial for decarbonization efforts. He described the project as a testament to Alberta's innovative spirit, contributing to global solutions aimed at reducing emissions and advancing sustainable practices in the energy sector.

Livia Mahler, CEO of Go2Lithium, expressed excitement about their partnership in LithiumBank's Calgary facility's grand opening. The cDLE® pilot plant spearheads the industry with its advanced lithium extraction technology. This technology has the potential to set new standards for both environmental sustainability and efficient production processes. This project signifies a milestone in the collaborative efforts between Go2Lithium and LithiumBank to advance lithium extraction processes. The cDLE® technology underscores their dedication to environmental stewardship by minimizing ecological impact and optimizing resource utilization, reflecting their commitment to pioneering sustainable practices in the lithium sector.