ioneer Ltd’s wholly-owned subsidiary Ioneer USA Corp has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nevada-based NexTech Batteries, a global leader in proprietary lithium-sulphur battery technology.
Under the MoU, the company will supply lithium carbonate and/or lithium hydroxide supply from its Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project in Nevada to NexTech’s production facility in Carson City.
The facility will manufacture next-generation solid-state batteries poised to revolutionise the automotive industry, renewable energy and grid storage applications, portable electronics, drones/eVTOL aircraft and more.
ioneer aims to produce upwards of 22,000 tonnes of lithium materials per year in nearby Esmeralda County.
Both parties plan to discuss the potential for long-term supply to NexTech once production has commenced.
The Northern Nevada Development Authority (NNDA), the state-designated Regional Development authority for the Sierra Region of Nevada, which includes Carson City, facilitated the introduction between the two companies.
Domestic battery supply chain
ioneer managing director Bernard Rowe said: ”The US and Nevada have prioritized the need for a domestic battery supply chain, and with little current supply, development of Rhyolite Ridge will be crucial to meeting this important goal.
“As ioneer focuses on producing the materials needed for sustainable and clean technologies, it’s important for companies like NexTech to develop and produce those technologies domestically, and sustainably.
“This collaboration is supportive of Nevada’s clean energy strategy and is yet another example of how the state of Nevada can lead the way to a more sustainable future, while creating jobs across the supply chain from mining to high-tech manufacturing, across rural and urban communities alike.”
Usher in new era in energy
NexTech Batteries CEO Bill Burger said: ”NexTech is pleased to work with a supplier that is aligned with our mission of making batteries more affordable, more sustainable and safer through patented lithium-sulphur science that’s poised to disrupt multiple industries.
“The fact that the Rhyolite Ridge Project is located a short distance from our facility will also allow us to lower our supply chain carbon footprint, reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and create jobs right here in Nevada.
“We’re proud to have Ioneer with us on our journey as we look to usher in a new era in energy.”
Rhyolite Ridge Project
ioneer Ltd’s 100%-owned Rhyolite Project is the only known lithium-boron deposit in North America and one of only two known such deposits in the world.
A Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) completed in 2020 confirmed Rhyolite Ridge as a world-class lithium and boron project that is expected to become a globally significant, long-life, low-cost source of lithium and boron vital to a sustainable future.
In September 2021, ioneer entered a 50/50 joint venture agreement with Sibanye Stillwater Ltd to advance the Rhyolite Ridge project.
ioneer will be the operator of the project, which is expected to come onstream in 2024.
NexTech Batteries
Technology company NexTech Batteries is pursuing the development of next-generation lithium batteries with unparalleled safety, energy density, low cost, ethical supply chain, and environmental stewardship for global vehicle electrification, consumer electronics, renewable energy storage, and more.
NexTech batteries was founded in early 2016, as the result of the exclusive license to the rights and patents to the lithium sulphur battery technology developed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.