CleanTech Lithium provides DLE pilot plant update

Highlights:

• The company ordered the US$2 million DLE Pilot Plant from Sunresin in 1Q23.
• The plant is designed for process optimisation and to produce a purified concentrated eluate that will feed the downstream process to deliver 1 t per month of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) for product qualification by potential offtakers and strategic partners.
• The first of two parts of the plant the DLE columns, and rotary valve, arrived recently at the company’s facility in Copiapó and are being installed.
• The second shipment – which will comprise an electrical cabinet, pumps, and auxiliary equipment – is due to arrive in the coming weeks following recent completion of final testing in the manufacturers’ facilities.
• Commissioning of the plant is expected to be finalised in 4Q23.
• Operational, community, and stakeholder liaison office in Copiapó has opened recently.

Aldo Boitano, Chief Executive Officer, CleanTech Lithium said:

“It is an exciting milestone for the company to see the DLE Pilot Plant equipment arrive in Copiapó. Once operational, our aim is to produce up to 1 t per month of lithium carbonate using Direct Lithium Extraction, which, we believe, will be the future of lithium production in Chile. DLE is now moving into the mainstream as it offers a cleaner way of supplying battery grade lithium with higher purities and shorter production timelines versus other methods such as evaporation ponds. We are working towards having the DLE pilot plant in operation in 4Q23.

“The pilot plant is being installed at our facility in Copiapó, where we now have our main operational base and hub for community and stakeholder engagement, which is critical to the success of our business.

“We will be updating the market shortly on other activities including the scoping study for Francisco Basin.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/handling-processing/04092023/cleantech-lithium-provides-dle-pilot-plant-update/