LithiumBank Resources Corp (TSX-V:LBNK) has hailed the findings of the Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) test work carried out on brine from its Boardwalk lithium project in Alberta, which show the technology to be a "highly effective and scalable method" of extracting lithium chloride.
The testing was carried out by Conductive Energy Inc, which produces so-called proprietary Ion Exchange (IX) material (also known as a bead or resin), which the firm tested to selectively recover its lithium.
It noted that Conductive's IX materials are safer than other common materials such as manganese-based sieves, and the aim of the tests was to recover the highest level of lithium in the shortest amount of time, using the least amount of IX material.
LithiumBank said that 93% lithium chloride recovery was achieved in under 60 minutes and the lithium concentrate produced showed a between 35 and 60 times' grade increase compared to the initial raw lithium brine concentration level.
"We put Conductive's DLE technology through a very comprehensive test program and their proprietary ion-exchange material has proven to be very effective in extracting lithium from our Boardwalk brine," said Kevin Piepgrass, LithiumBank's chief operating officer, in a statement.
READ: LithiumBank Resources hails findings of hydrogeological study and well network design for Boardwalk project
He said the firm now had a "high-quality" data set, which can be used in the processing design and engineering of a commercial scale lithium processing facility.
"This will be instrumental for delivering a robust PEA of the Boardwalk Lithium Brine Project," said Piepgrass.
"As part of LithiumBank's long-term strategy, the company continues to build a strong technical foundation in lithium brine development that is expected to benefit Boardwalk as well as the company's 100 percent owned Park Place and Kindersley Projects."
The DLE testing was conducted over four months at Conductive's lab in Calgary to examine the IX material's spectrum of capabilities and limitations.
LithiumBank, engineer Hatch Ltd and Conductive are all expected to continue to work together to optimize the DLE process through additional tests, said the company.
After the DLE process, the concentrated brine then needs additional steps before it is upgraded to a battery grade lithium product such as lithium carbonate (LC) or lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM).
The processes following the DLE are being evaluated by Hatch and is expected to be incorporated into the preliminary economic assessment (PEA).
Brine used in the DLE test work was collected in 2021 from a well located in the South Sturgeon Lake oilfield, within the co-called "Production Zone" at the property, and has a reported average grade of 73.8 milligram per litre (mg/L) of lithium.
LithiumBank is focused on lithium-enriched brine projects in Western Canada, where low-carbon-impact, rapid direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology can be deployed. The firm currently holds over 3.77 million acres of mineral titles, 3.44 million in Alberta and 326,000 in Saskatchewan.
These are strategically positioned over known reservoirs that provide a unique combination of scale, grade and exceptional flow rates that are necessary for a large-scale direct brine lithium production.
Shares in Toronto added 4.6% on the day to C$0.91.
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Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com