ioneer Ltd (ASX:INR) has verified that battery-grade lithium hydroxide can be successfully produced from Rhyolite Ridge ore using standard commercial processes.
Veolia Water Technologies Inc. was engaged to complete testwork as part of the ongoing Rhyolite Ridge definitive feasibility study (DFS).
Testwork undertaken by Veolia successfully validated the ioneer process and confirmed key flowsheet parameters for the Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project.
Veolia’s benchscale testwork simulated major unit operations within the DFS process flowsheet and produced boric acid and lithium carbonate, and high-purity (battery-grade) lithium hydroxide.
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Ioneer’s managing director Bernard Rowe said: “Veolia has a strong track record in designing and supplying production processes for the lithium industry.
“By simulating major unit operations of the Rhyolite Ridge process flowsheet, Veolia has successfully validated the commercial process and confirmed key flowsheet parameters being finalised in the Rhyolite Ridge DFS.
“This gives us confidence that our commercial process is both straightforward and scalable.
“Using the technical-grade lithium carbonate produced from Rhyolite Ridge DFS flowsheet, Veolia has successfully completed bench-scale testing to support the commercial application for crystallising battery-grade lithium hydroxide.
DFS process flowsheet: dotted line area is used to convert lithium carbonate to lithium hydroxide monohydrate
Rowe continued: “The testwork confirms that Rhyolite Ridge will be able to produce a range of products at the mine site including boric acid, lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide.
“ioneer is well placed to meet the expected strong North American demand for lithium as the United States looks to develop a domestic battery supply chain.”
Proactive caught up with ioneer recently for an update.