Through its leading Clayton Valley Lithium Project, Century Lithium seeks to bolster US lithium production for the burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage sector.
The company’s flagship Clayton Valley Lithium Project in Nevada aims to establish a domestic source of lithium. This endeavour, owned entirely by Century Lithium, represents a significant step in securing a low-cost, large-scale, and enduring lithium supply.
Recognised as the third most advanced lithium initiative in Nevada, this Project taps into a substantial lithium-bearing claystone deposit. Century Lithium is further advancing this exciting resource potential through its extraction facility in Amargosa Valley, Nevada, processing materials from the lithium project.
Through the domestic production of high-purity lithium carbonate, Century Lithium positions itself to support the US in its pursuit of clean energy objectives. Following considerable progress achieved throughout 2023, the company provides an update on the Project and its significance in domestic lithium production.
Importance of optimising US lithium production capabilities
Establishing domestic lithium production in the United States is crucial for several economic, technological, and strategic reasons.
Lithium serves as a linchpin in the rapidly expanding realm of clean energy, particularly in the production of lithium-ion batteries, which power EVs and store renewable energy from sources like solar and wind.
Here’s why it’s vital for the US to develop its own lithium resources:
Reduced dependence on foreign sources
Currently, the US relies heavily on lithium imports, predominantly from countries like Chile, Argentina, and Australia. Overreliance on these foreign sources poses economic risks, geopolitical vulnerabilities, and potential supply chain disruptions.
Establishing domestic production mitigates these risks, ensuring a consistent and secure
supply of lithium for the nation’s burgeoning clean energy initiatives.
Boosting economic growth and job creation
Investing in domestic lithium production generates employment opportunities and fosters economic growth. It creates jobs not only in mining but also in associated industries like refining, manufacturing, and technology development.
This stimulates local economies and bolsters the nation’s competitiveness in the global clean energy market.
Technological innovation and energy security
A self-sufficient lithium supply chain facilitates technological innovation. It allows for research and development into more efficient extraction methods, battery technologies, and energy storage solutions.
This innovation not only advances the clean energy sector but also strengthens national energy security by reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Environmental and climate benefits
Domestic lithium production aligns with the nation’s goals of reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change.
By supporting the transition to EVs and renewable energy storage it contributes to a cleaner environment and reduces the carbon footprint associated with traditional fossil fuel-based transportation and energy generation.
Strategic importance in global markets
As the world transitions toward clean energy, controlling a portion of the lithium supply chain gives the US leverage and influence in global markets.
It positions the country as a key player in shaping the future of clean energy technologies, fostering partnerships, and ensuring a competitive edge in the global economy.
In essence, establishing domestic lithium production isn’t just about securing a critical resource—it’s about fortifying the nation’s economic stability, technological advancement, and global leadership in clean energy.
Why establish lithium projects in Nevada?
Nevada is a pivotal player in the United States’ lithium production, holding a strategic position in the global pursuit of sustainable energy solutions.
Renowned for its expansive lithium deposits, Nevada’s significance in lithium production reverberates across various sectors due to the increasing demand for this vital component in the manufacture of batteries.
The state’s geological composition boasts extensive lithium-rich brine and clay deposits, making it a hotspot for lithium extraction. Nevada’s robust lithium resources bolster domestic production and contribute significantly to the global supply chain for lithium-based products.
The abundance of lithium in Nevada shores up the country’s efforts to reduce dependency on foreign sources, ensuring a more self-reliant and stable supply chain for crucial technologies.
Furthermore, Nevada’s commitment to innovation and sustainable practices in lithium extraction reinforces its pivotal role. Ongoing research and development initiatives aimed at refining extraction methods and minimising environmental impact position Nevada as a leader in quantity and responsible lithium production.
The state’s contribution to the domestic lithium supply aligns with broader national objectives focused on decarbonisation and advancing clean energy technologies. Nevada’s role isn’t confined solely to economic prowess; it symbolises a crucial piece in the puzzle towards a greener, more sustainable future.
Its position as a hub for lithium extraction underscores the state’s critical role in powering not only vehicles and gadgets but also the momentum towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy landscape both within the United States and across the globe.
Within Nevada’s vast lithium landscape, Century Lithium’s Clayton Valley Lithium Project emerges as a major player in the US’ white gold portfolio.
Clayton Valley Lithium Project resource potential
Century Lithium is the sole proprietor of the Clayton Valley Lithium Project, spanning 5,585 acres in west central Nevada.
This site hosts a significant lithium-rich claystone resource adjacent to a lithium brine basin.
Shielded from erosion by Angel Island’s geological formation, this resource sits atop Pliocene lakebed sediments, with surface exposure facilitating exploration and development.
Resource characteristics and processing advantages
The lithium-bearing claystone, reaching depths of 467 feet, boasts mineralisation within montmorillonite and iolite clays. Crucially, metallurgical testing unveiled an efficient extraction process through tank leaching and counter current decantation.
This method ensures over 85% lithium recovery, notably higher than hectorite-bearing deposits that demand energy-intensive processes like roasting and high acid usage.
The resource’s favourable geology, notably its expansive and flat nature coupled with surface exposure, shapes a mine plan with minimal overburden. With a low strip ratio of 0.29:1 and no need for drilling or blasting in surface mining, extraction becomes streamlined.
Innovative approaches and future prospects
Century Lithium is actively processing material from Clayton Valley at its Pilot Plant in Amargosa Valley, Nevada. Originally planned based on sulfuric acid, the company pivoted to a chloride-based approach following internal studies.
This strategic shift offers substantial benefits across economic, process efficiency, and environmental stewardship aspects. The Pilot Plant’s operations feed essential data for the ongoing Feasibility Study and produce vital marketing samples, fostering negotiations with potential partners.
This progression positions Century Lithium to attain domestic producer status, signalling a transformative leap towards meeting the escalating demand for lithium in growing markets while prioritising eco-friendly extraction methodologies.
Findings from the feasibility study
In February 2022, an extensive Feasibility Study for the Project was launched, led by Wood PLC (Wood) along with esteemed partners like Global Resource Engineers, Continental Metallurgical Services, WSP USA Environment & Infrastructure Inc., and Century. This study aimed to evaluate the Project’s viability and potential.
Substantial progress has been made according to the study’s timeline. Wood and its collaborators have made significant strides, nearing completion of crucial components such as resource estimates, mine planning, processing plant design, waste storage strategies, and additional necessary facilities.
In a notable development in September 2022, Century Lithium achieved a remarkable milestone. They successfully produced lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) with an exceptional purity of 99.94%, extracted from lithium-bearing claystone sourced from the Claystone Valley Lithium Project.
This achievement was made possible by leveraging an intermediate concentrated lithium solution at Century Lithium’s Pilot Plant, with pivotal contributions from Saltworks Technologies Inc. in designing the processing system and executing pilot work for Li2CO3 production.
All production processes took place within an automated Pilot Plant, using materials directly from the Project, emulating full-scale production. Third-party analyses confirmed exceptional quality, showcasing a purity exceeding 99.9 weight-percent—a significant achievement in line with industry benchmarks.
Notably, the resulting lithium carbonate exceeded standard battery-grade Li2CO3 (99.5% purity), meeting specific criteria for enhanced battery-grade Li2CO3 suitable for electric vehicle applications. These findings signify potential suitability for lithium battery manufacturers, subject to specific application needs.
Furthermore, Saltworks conducted a secondary phase of testing, exploring lithium production from the blowdown-brine stream—an innovative step that could significantly reduce material volumes for recycling in the direct lithium recovery plant, potentially cutting its size and capital costs.
Consequently, Li2CO3 emerges as the conclusive end-product for the Feasibility Study, with Saltworks positioned to provide engineering and design for the final Li2CO3 production stage.
In harnessing the boundless potential of the Clayton Valley Lithium Project, Century Lithium stands at the forefront of fortifying the United States’ lithium production capabilities.
It’s a pivotal stride towards economic resilience, technological innovation, and global leadership in clean energy. By tapping into Nevada’s lithium-rich landscape and pioneering groundbreaking extraction methodologies, Century Lithium charts a transformative course for its enterprise and the nation’s clean energy objectives.
