Century Lithium Corp. (TSX-V:LCE, OTCQX:CYDVF) said it achieved better-than-expected lithium recovery rates at its demonstration plant in Nevada.
The company reported a 91.6% lithium recovery rate during direct lithium extraction (DLE) pilot testing.
The test yielded a lithium eluate grade of 575 milligrams per liter (mg/L) from a feed concentration of 328 mg/L, with a favorable sodium-to-lithium ratio of 0.6 to 1.
Century said the performance could significantly lower both capital and operating costs for the Angel Island project.
"Our Demonstration Plant allows us to improve our technology through various avenues of testing, most recently with ARi, where recent results have exceeded our expectations,” said Bill Willoughby, Century Lithium CEO.
The company also reported technical progress in its lithium carbonate production process. It achieved eluate concentrations of 12 to 14 grams per liter using specialty membranes and produced lithium carbonate samples with 99.87% purity.
Samples are currently undergoing third-party evaluation for use in lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are commonly used in solar power systems, energy storage applications and long-range electric vehicles.
Additionally, Century Lithium is testing thermal pretreatment of clay from the Angel Island deposit, which may reduce hydrochloric acid requirements in the leaching phase of lithium processing.