Australian lithium developer Lake Resources has said a modular, ion-exchange demonstration plant developed by US lithium technology firm Lilac Solutions has been sent to the former's Kachi project in Argentina.
Lake Resources said the new plant's "disruptive" ion exchange lithium processing technology will reduce operating costs and boost lithium recovery.
The plant will be used to produce lithium chloride (eluate) representing 2.5 tonnes of lithium carbonate that will be converted into battery-grade lithium. That battery-grade lithium will be used for offtakers and battery qualification.
"Our technology is truly disruptive," said Lilac's chief executive, Dave Snydacker. "We've taken ion exchange, a non-mining technology solution that is ubiquitous in the water treatment industry, and with cutting-edge innovations have created a unique technology for lithium extraction.
Snydacker went on to say that the production process offers 80-90% higher lithium recovery rates.
Lake's Managing Director, Steve Promnitz, added, "Both Lake and Lilac are very confident that the demonstration plant incorporating Lilac's proprietary ion exchange process will prove to investors and offtakers".
The modular design allows for a "plug and play" approach, once brine feed, power and reagents are connected, and the plant will operate for around 3 to 4 months, said the companies.
Lake's flagship Kachi Project is located in Argentina's Catamarca Province at the southern end of the Lithium Triangle, a province responsible for 40% of global lithium production. Kachi comprises 705 sq km of leases and lease applications over a brine-bearing basin 20km long, 15km wide, and 400-800m deep centred.
In November 2018, Lake announced a maiden JORC resource at Kachi of 4.4 million tonnes (Mt) of contained lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), and an exploration target ranging between 8-17Mt of LCE.
