Weardale Lithium11 May 2023 08:35
PRESS RELEASE
11 May 2023
Lithium Carbonate produced from naturally-occurring geothermal brines in County Durham for the first time
Weardale Lithium Limited, ("Weardale Lithium", "WL", or the "Company") an innovative natural resources company based in County Durham, UK is pleased to announce that it has successfully extracted lithium from geothermal brines following the completion of laboratory scale Direct Lithium Extraction ('DLE') test-work with multiple technology providers, including the production of a sample of lithium carbonate.
HIGHLIGHTS
· For the first time, lithium carbonate has been produced from geothermal brines in County Durham, North East England
· Positive results from trials of multiple Direct Lithium Extraction processes confirm the geothermal brines in the Eastgate Boreholes are amenable for lithium production
· Successful test-work and extraction of lithium represents a step forward in the UK's ambitions to produce a domestic lithium supply chain
Having successfully secured a grant from the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF), Weardale Lithium has been trialling the effectiveness of multiple direct lithium extraction ("DLE") technologies in extracting lithium from the geothermal brines found in the existing boreholes at Eastgate, County Durham. All trials produced very positive results with elevated results of lithium extraction and recovery rates.
Notably trials with Manchester-based, Watercycle Technologies Limited produced lithium carbonate at laboratory scale using their proprietary Direct Lithium Extraction and Crystallisation (DLEC™) process. The DLEC™ process selectively removes lithium ions from complex brines using mixed matrix hollow fibre adsorption membranes followed by concentration, polishing and crystallisation stages.
Lithium is a critical raw material utilised in the production of electric vehicle batteries. In order to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and meet net-zero targets, the UK needs a secure supply of lithium as there is currently no commercial lithium production or refining in the UK or Europe. Consequently, this is a significant milestone as it advances the possibility of producing domestic lithium and in turn advancing an integrated battery-supply chain industrial hub in the North East of England. Lithium produced and refined in the UK will confer transportation cost advantages, supply assurances and an environmental-premium over foreign suppliers.
Extraction of lithium from geothermal brines via DLE processes has been assessed by third parties to have higher sustainability credentials over alternative lithium sources. It is a low-impact, low-carbon and low-water usage method of extracting lithium from brines which Weardale Lithium intend to augment using power from renewable energy sources.
This milestone enables Weardale Lithium to progress its step-wise plans for scaling up lithium extr