PROCESSING

Schlumberger and Panasonic launch DLE partnership

Schlumberger and Panasonic will collaborate on direct lithium extraction

Pilot plant is just 200 miles from Panasonic’s large-scale advanced battery manufacturing operation

Pilot plant is just 200 miles from Panasonic’s large-scale advanced battery manufacturing operation

Schlumberger New Energy, the company's subsidiary for low-carbon markets, will work with Panasonic Energy of North America on direct lithium extraction (DLE) processes at the former's NeoLith Energy pilot plant in Nevada.

"This collaboration paves the way for improved lithium production solutions that will help meet the expected surge in demand for lithium as the electric vehicle (EV) market takes off worldwide," said Schlumberger New Energy.

Proponents say DLE can improve lithium extraction's environmental footprint while also reducing production time from over a year to weeks.

"The unique process is in sharp contrast to conventional evaporative methods of extracting lithium, with a significantly reduced groundwater and physical footprint," said said Schlumberger.

NeoLith Energy will pump brine from the subsurface in the area, extract greater than 90% of the dissolved lithium, and pump more than 85% of the brine back to the subsurface.

Schlumberger said that as well as maximising the reinjection of the brine, the ultimate goal is to eliminate the need for any freshwater.

"Panasonic is a pioneer in electric vehicle battery technology, and we are excited to collaborate with them in developing our differentiated direct lithium extraction and production process," said Ashok Belani, executive vice president Schlumberger New Energy.

The pilot plant is just 200 miles from Panasonic's large-scale advanced battery manufacturing operation, Panasonic Energy of North America, in Sparks, Nevada.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Magazine Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Magazine Intelligence team.

editions

ESG Mining Company Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The ESG Mining Company Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Exploration Report 2024 (feat. Opaxe data)

A comprehensive review of exploration trends and technologies, highlighting the best intercepts and discoveries and the latest initial resource estimates.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Future Fleets Report 2024

The report paints a picture of the equipment landscape and includes detailed profiles of mines that are employing these fleets

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Digitalisation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations that use digitalisation technology to drive improvements across all areas of mining production