LithiumBank Resources Corp. has opened its Calgary Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) pilot plant on schedule, marking a significant step in its mission to harness Alberta’s vast lithium resources.
This milestone is pivotal for the company as it progresses towards commercial development, with the DLE pilot plant’s results expected to inform the feasibility phase of its broader development plans.
Advancing lithium extraction technology
Paul Matysek, Executive Chairman of LithiumBank, emphasised the importance of this achievement: “Licensing our pilot plant is a major milestone for our company.
“The successful application of our DLE technology could be instrumental in potentially kickstarting a new resource industry in the province.
“We are eager to test brines from the substantial, inferred lithium resources at our Boardwalk and Park Place properties.”
Utilising Alberta’s rich lithium resources
Lithium, essential for lithium-ion batteries powering electric vehicles, is also used in various products, including greases and medications.
With the rising demand for lithium driven by the growth of electric vehicle production, Canada has designated lithium as a critical mineral.
Alberta is known to have significant lithium resources dissolved in formation waters within oil and gas reservoirs.
LithiumBank employs DLE technology to extract lithium from brines that would otherwise be discarded.
The brines, collected from western Canadian oil wells at LithiumBank’s Boardwalk, Park Place, and Saskatchewan projects, will be transported to the Calgary DLE pilot plant for processing.
The plant aims to process 10,000 litres of lithium-containing brines daily, making it one of the largest DLE pilot plants in North America.
Government support and environmental benefits
The Alberta provincial government supports the project, recognising its potential to advance the province’s future lithium production.
Alberta Energy Minister Brian Jean participated in the pilot plant’s opening, highlighting its significance: “LithiumBank’s pilot plant is an important advancement for Alberta’s diverse energy and mineral landscape.
“As a global leader in ethically produced energy, we are working to be at the forefront of developing energy transition minerals.
“Projects like this can help Alberta meet the growing demand for lithium as a tool to decarbonise. This is another example of Alberta innovation contributing to global solutions for reducing emissions.”
Pilot programme details
LithiumBank is using exclusive licensed DLE technology from Go2Lithium. This technology offers environmental and economic advantages over traditional lithium extraction methods, producing a clean, lithium-rich concentrate suitable for further refining.
The pilot project aims to achieve key performance indicators focused on lithium recovery, selectivity, flow rate, and concentrate quality, further demonstrating the commercial viability and scalability of LithiumBank’s unique resource, process, and design combination.
The pilot programme, representing an approximate 1:5,000 scale to future commercial production modules, is expected to last up to 18 months.
Livia Mahler, CEO of Go2Lithium, commented: “We are thrilled to be a partner in the grand opening of LithiumBank’s Calgary facility. The cDLE® pilot plant employs advanced lithium extraction technology that we expect to set new standards in sustainability and efficiency within the industry.
“The project represents a milestone in the partnership between Go2Lithium and LithiumBank, aimed at advancing lithium extraction processes. The cDLE® technology underscores our commitment to environmental responsibility, minimising ecological impact while maximising resource utilisation.”
As LithiumBank continues to innovate and develop its lithium extraction capabilities, the successful operation of the Calgary DLE pilot plant will play a crucial role in unlocking Alberta’s lithium potential and contributing to the global shift towards sustainable energy solutions.
