Published: July 17, 2024 | Share This

[Click image to enlarge]

International Battery Metals Ltd. (IBAT), has commenced operations of its commercial proprietary modular direct lithium extraction (DLE) plant in Utah — an industry landmark representing the first lithium produced from the only modular DLE operation in the world and the first commercial DLE operation in North America.

The commercial facility outside Salt Lake City, Utah, is co-located at the operations of U.S. Magnesium (US Mag) and is extracting lithium from a byproduct magnesium chloride/ lithium chloride brine derived from historic magnesium production. IBAT’s modular DLE system, currently situated on about one-acre, is in production and providing lithium chloride to U.S. Mag. The next step for IBAT is to expand production by installing additional columns on the same DLE modular platform with a target of significantly increasing capacity.

“This achievement is momentous for IBAT and a harbinger for an industry-transformation to significantly boost lithium production on a more cost-effective and sustainable basis, clearing a path for supplies of lower-priced, high-quality lithium for EV batteries and large-scale grid backup battery installations,” said John Burba, founder and chief technology officer of IBAT.

“This kicks off a U.S. lithium production renaissance and creates the potential for a sea change in global lithium supplies,” added Burba.

This milestone is a culmination of over four decades of John’s work in lithium extraction, including the invention of the first lithium absorbent, used in the world’s first DLE plant at Hombre Muerto in Argentina for FMC Technologies, which has been in continuous production since 1998.

This breakthrough is expected to reshape the lithium industry due to several advantageous of IBAT’s patented technology:

• Speed to Market: The modular design can bring lithium to market in approximately 18 months, from the time construction is initiated at a fabrication facility to the time of production onsite, compared to several years’ time (5-7 years) for a conventional stick-built DLE plant at a location.

• Low Cost: Expected to be among the lowest capex and opex in the industry.

• Scalable, Agile and Brine Agnostic: The modular system’s small footprint can be installed at a variety of lithium brine resources around the world, including formations with active or inactive oil and gas operations. The system is easily scalable by adding modules for expansion.

• High-quality Lithium: IBAT’s DLE technology selectively extracts lithium ions via absorption with a proprietary crystal structure, resulting in a lithium-chloride solution with the requisite feedstock purity to produce battery-grade lithium. The technology has been independently verified by SLR and Mehos Consulting to extract more than 97 percent of available lithium from Smackover brine.

• Sustainability: IBAT’s proprietary absorbent does not require chemicals in the extraction process. The technology extracts lithium from brine sources and returns the lithium-depleted brine back to its source. Due to the plant’s advanced water recovery rate of up to 98% of water recycled, IBAT’s technology is highly protective of sensitive water resources, based on Smackover brine testing by SLR and Mehos.

At the Utah operation, upon acceptance testing IBAT will receive royalties from US Mag from lithium sales as well as payments for equipment rental based on lithium prices and performance.

This operational milestone follows the recent appointment of incoming IBAT CEO Iris Jancik, who starts in her new role mid-August to lead the company’s commercial expansion. To build out its operations, IBAT is in discussions with large industrial companies, including automakers, as well as oil and gas majors and brine-resource owners.

International Battery Metals is an advanced technology company focused on the development of environmentally responsible methods of extracting lithium compounds from brine. IBAT has developed a patented modular direct lithium extraction (DLE) plant which allows for rapid deployment to a resource holders production site. IBAT is working with resource holders of oilfield brines, brine aquifers, and industrial customers with brine by-products. IBAT believes the modular design of its DLE plant provides significant initial costs savings to customers and the proprietary DLE technology lowers operating costs by selectively extracting lithium from the brine while efficiently removing contaminants.

Be in-the-know when you’re on-the-go!

CLICK HERE to register your email address.

Copyright © 2024 Mining Connection LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.

For licensing permission, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)