Hertz Energy (CSE:HZ, OTCQB:HZLIF) announced that it has entered into a consulting agreement with Lithium Consultants Australasia (LCA) to advance the development and commercialization of the company’s hard rock lithium extraction process optimization technology.
Perth, Australia-based LCA supports companies in advancing their lithium projects by carrying out test work on their behalf to provide the data required to design pilot and commercial-scale plants.
Hertz said it partnered with LCA to work with its partner Penn State University through their remaining optimization trials for its technology with a near-term commercialization goal.
The company said LCA will develop an overall flowsheet and high-level operating cost estimates, carry out a validation study, and run a pilot plant scale-up program.
It noted that its technology comprises its patent-pending process for the extraction of lithium from alpha-spodumene, which begins with taking spodumene concentrate, introducing sodium hydroxide, and then proceeding with conventional or microwave roasting which transforms the alpha-spodumene into a soluble phase. This is followed by a water-leaching process to recover the lithium.
It said the optimization work of the team at Penn State University has resulted in a two-stage roasting and leaching method with lithium recovery now exceeding 99%.
Further, Hertz said it was in talks with a major international mining conglomerate regarding the development of its hard rock lithium extraction technology.
According to the company, the potential agreement would provide funding and expertise from the conglomerate for the validation study and pilot plant program.
"With hard rock lithium becoming a focus for lithium supply and many new hard rock lithium discoveries occurring around the world, including the world-class Patriot Battery Metals' Corvette discovery, in Quebec, the need for updated and efficient extraction technology is urgent,” Hertz Energy (CSE:HZ, OTCQB:HZLIF) CEO Kal Malhi said in a statement.
“I commend the great work being conducted by our teams at Hertz and Penn State and the recent advancement of the IP being generated.”
Malhi added that he was excited to have the LCA team run the commercialization efforts for the company’s extraction technology.
"They are top tier in the lithium extraction world and we have all the confidence in their ability to guide the remaining optimization efforts and bring the technology towards commercialization in an expedited fashion,” the CEO said.
Hertz Energy (CSE:HZ, OTCQB:HZLIF) is a British Columbia-based junior exploration company primarily engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties.