(CLON)1 Jun 2023 20:53
Chairman, David Horgan, commented: “Strong demand growth and rising, though volatile, prices are transforming the lithium business. The Board believes that projected demand for clean lithium cannot be met without South American brines, and especially Direct Lithium Extraction technology. Our joint venture partners, NEXT-ChemX, identified techniques that had previously purified fluids of radioactive elements through a technique mimicking the human kidney. This avoids the need for high water, or power usage, facilitating a continuous process, rather than a batch process. This cutting-edge extraction technology concentrates desired ions (such as Lithium+) by drawing them out of a solution (such as a brine) across a special purpose membrane. The technology is known as ion-Targeting Direct Extraction. This can work even in low concentrations. Working closely with the relevant authorities, under applicable laws, we are now gathering large samples, from several priority salt-lakes, for laboratory testing at our Joint Venture partner’s facilities. Necessary export paperwork is being finalised, so that these brine samples can be air-freighted. Clontarf thus expects to start testing at its Joint-Venture partner’s facilities shortly. The first phase of sample analysis will confirm past laboratory testing of synthetic brines. This process includes fine-tuning the process to facilitate large-scale pilot plant testing, which should follow successful laboratory test-work. A priority has been ongoing discussions with Bolivia’s State Lithium Company, which is tasked with leading Bolivia’s large-scale entry to international markets under the 2017 Lithium Law. Our Joint Venture has also agreed with the relevant titleholders to test priority brines from privately held salt-lakes in Argentina and Chile. These are also included in our joint venture with NEXT-ChemX on Direct Lithium Extraction.”
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