CleanTech Lithium PLC (AIM:CTL) has updated the market on the substantial range of the activities it has been undertaking in recent months.
These include a recent board visit to Chile, in which very positive meetings were held with Chilean Government representatives.
The company expects to commence lithium production in 2025.
At Laguna Verde, resource drilling commenced at LV06 on 23 November 2022, and a second rig has been mobilised so drilling at LV06 and LV05 can proceed concurrently. An updated JORC resource estimate remains on track for the end of the first quarter of 2023, and a scoping study is due within weeks. A pre-feasibility study is expected to be completed in the first half of next year.
At Francisco Basin, a scoping study is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2023.
At Llamara, the granting of licences is in the final stages, the company having complied with all the relevant court requirements, and the plan is to commence drilling in early 2023.
A lab-scale direct lithium extraction demo unit has been delivered to Copiapo, Chile, and is being set up with the assistance of the DLE processing partner, SunResin.
This pilot DLE unit is a component of a full pilot plant designed to produce one tonne per month of battery-grade lithium as carbonate and hydroxide, which has been ordered from SunResin's facilities in Belgium. Installation and commissioning expected in the second quarter of 2023.
"We are delighted to see significant progress being made on many fronts,” said Aldo Boitano, chief executive of Cleantech Lithium in a statement. “Our drilling campaign at Laguna Verde has re-commenced and mobilisation to Francisco Basin is expected very shortly. We intend to announce the results of the Laguna Verde scoping study in the very near future and commence the PFS soon after."
"The recent board visit involved positive meetings with key government and regional representatives, all of whom expressed support for the company's objective to produce battery-grade lithium in a relatively short timescale and in a sustainable manner. They were pleased to see the company employing increasing numbers of locals and promoting the company's green credentials with local communities," he added.