Infinity Lithium Corporation Ltd (ASX:INF) has increased the volume of battery-grade lithium carbonate and hydroxide produced from the San José Lithium Project in Spain as part of metallurgical test-work for a feasibility study.
The testing was conducted at Dorfner Anzplan’s facilities in Germany under a project agreement with EIT InnoEnergy, an organisation supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.
Designed to facilitate the development of a sustainable, novel and innovative sulphate roast process, the test-work was funded by EIT InnoEnergy as part of the organisation’s efforts to foster more sustainable refining technology for lithium mineralogies that are being exploited industrially for the first time.
Pursuing European Union ESG principles
Infinity Lithium CEO and managing director Ryan Parkin said: “The production of battery-grade lithium hydroxide in the scale-up phase has highlighted the successful implementation of the innovative sulphate roast process in alignment to key EU ESG principles.
“We are looking forward to broadening discussions with end users in the progression of a fully integrated lithium-ion battery supply chain in Spain and the EU.”
The third tranche of funding under Infinity’s project agreement with EIT InnoEnergy will be released once reporting and verification due diligence have been completed, marking the end of a test-work program agreed by the two entities.
Infinity has retained about 800 grams of battery-grade lithium hydroxide for future product verification, to assist verification purposes and advancement of offtake discussions.
Next steps
Infinity will now advance provisional patents covering the novel elements of the sulphate roast process flow sheet, while proceeding to locked cycle test-work (LCT) and development of engineering design criteria.
The feasibility study will assess the viability of an underground mine providing lithium-bearing mica run-of-mine (ROM) to feed a fully integrated, on-site lithium chemical conversion plant capable of producing battery-grade lithium carbonate and hydroxide.
Infinity’s roast process reduces the environmental impact of the lithium chemical conversion process when compared to traditional sulphuric acid leaching practices.
The company’s more sustainable process will position them well in EU markets, where the EU Battery Passport provides regulatory and compliance requirements for the carbon footprint of all materials used in lithium-ion batteries.
About Infinity Lithium
Infinity Lithium Corporation is developing its 75%-owned San José Lithium Project in Spain.
San Jose deposit is a highly advanced, previously mined brownfield development opportunity representing the European Union’s second-largest lithium deposit.
The project would provide an essential component in the EU’s development of a vertically integrated lithium-ion battery supply chain.