CleanTech Lithium PLC (AIM:CTL, OTCQX:CTLHF) reported more encouraging results from the first stage of its lithium carbonate elution pilot in Chile.
Results from the latest fine-tuning showed the DLE adsorbent achieved a lithium recovery rate of approximately 95% from the brine, with total recovery (adsorption plus desorption) achieving approximately 88%.
Impurity rejection rates were also very high, producing a low impurity eluate conducive to the downstream conversion process.
Additionally, CTL said an initial volume of 88m3 of concentrated eluate, the lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) of one tonne, had been produced from the pilot plant. in Copiapó, Chile. over 384 hours with 14 cycles completed
This concentrated eluate is being shipped in four batches to Conductive Energy in Chicago for conversion into battery-grade lithium carbonate.
Steve Kesler, executive chairman, said: "We are very pleased by these results as it shows we can produce battery-grade lithium with low impurities from our Laguna Verde brine project.
“Working with our partners on the downstream process, Forward Water and Conductive Energy, we can now demonstrate the entire DLE process from brine to final lithium product.
"The optimised downstream process will now be applied to the initial volume of 88m3 of concentrated eluate, or approximately 1 tonne of LCE, produced from the first stage of production from our DLE pilot plant.
“This will produce significant test sample volumes of battery-grade lithium carbonate for the commencement of testing with potential strategic partners.
“This is important whilst the Chilean government is reviewing the feasibility of lithium projects to identify the most advanced companies in Chile and if they are to reach their target of having three to four new lithium projects in development by 2026."