Lithium Australia NL (ASX:LIT, OTC:LMMFF) is pushing ahead with patent protection for its next-generation lithium extraction technology, LieNA®, which refines fine or low-grade spodumene, a waste product, to produce high-purity lithium phosphate.
In partnership with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), LIT continues development of the technology, which has the potential to reduce mining costs by expanding current hard-rock lithium resources, and, importantly, to enhance the sustainability of lithium chemical production from that resource.
LieNA® can process fine or low-grade spodumene (which is generally discarded as waste) without roasting to produce high-quality lithium chemicals for use as direct feed in the production of lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) batteries.
Intellectual property approvals
IP Australia, which manages the patent process, has issued a ‘Notice of Acceptance’ for LIT’s patent application, filed in July 2019, which marks another step towards the issue of a patent for the process in Australia.
The application detailed the process for extracting lithium from an uncalcined lithium-bearing silicate and recovering the lithium as a lithium phosphate.
Based on usual approval timings, LIT expects the patent to be granted in the coming quarter, ahead of operations kicking off.
Legal protections last for 20 years from the date of filing of the application.
Autoclave on way
The autoclave for the pilot plant, fundamental to the production process, has now been tested and packed for transport to Australia.
Once the autoclave has been installed and commissioned at ANSTO, everything will be in place for the pilot plant’s scheduled opening in the first quarter of the new year.
Commercialisation on horizon
"Autoclave delivery for the LieNA® pilot plant puts us on track for commissioning in the first quarter of 2022," Lithium Australia managing director Adrian Griffin said. “This furthers the momentum for LieNA® commercialisation.
“LieNA® can produce a range of high-purity lithium chemicals, including lithium phosphate, which is ideal for use as direct feed for the production of LFP cathode materials.
“Given the anticipated industry shift away from legacy technology, patent protection for the LieNA® process is a key strategy to ensuring that Lithium Australia can deliver ESG solutions to the lithium and broader battery industry.
“We encourage lithium concentrate producers to partner with us, in order to improve their recoveries, lower their operating costs and conserve our finite lithium resources."