Lithium Australia NL (ASX:LIT) is advancing plans for a large-scale Sileach™ pilot plant after awarding the engineering design study for a large-scale pilot plant in December 2016.
Project deliverables included, capital cost estimates, operating cost estimates and comparative logistic costs for a number of Western Australian and overseas sites.
The comparative project location assessment conducted during the study has highlighted a very attractive overseas site.
Furthermore, Lithium Australia has elected to extend the scope of work to improve the capital and operating cost estimate for this location to a level of detail commensurate for the preliminary feasibility study.
Results to the study are expected to be delivered to Lithium Australia around the middle of June.
Adrian Griffin, managing director, commented: “It is gratifying to see Sileach™ progressing towards commercialisation.
"This has been achieved with the best possible partnerships in industry and government including research grants at state and federal levels.
"Design has been completed within the most stringent safety standards which is the best possible prelude to commercialisation of the process."
Lithium Australia is a dedicated developer of disruptive lithium extraction technologies, and 100% owner of the Sileach™ process for the recovery of lithium from silicates.