CleanTech Lithium releases scoping study results at Laguna Verde

Highlights:

• Supports the potential for Laguna Verde to become a major supplier of battery grade lithium to European and US markets based on sustainable direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology. 
• Based on annual production of 20 000 t of battery grade lithium carbonate for an operational life of 30 years based on measured and indicated resource.
• Calculates accumulated net cashflows (post-tax and royalties) of US$6.3 billion to be generated over the operational life with low operating cost of US$3875/t of lithium carbonate.
• Estimated capital expenditure of US$383.6 million, based on DLE plant using SunResin Materials existing DLE technology.
• Attractive economics with post-tax NPV of US$1.83 billion using a discount rate of 8%, post-tax IRR of 45.1% and a payback period of 1 year and 8 months – based on a long-term lithium carbonate price of US$22 500/t from 2027.
• Industry leading ESG credentials, a critical advantage for the EU market, based on utilising DLE which returns spent brine to the basin aquifers, and renewable energy for processing power via connecting with the Chilean grid and its abundant renewable energy supply.
• The report assumes commencement of production in 2026, company Board and management continue to target late 2025.
• Pre-feasibility study (PF”) to commence immediately, targeted for completion in 2H23. The PFS will also address conversion of lithium carbonate to potentially more attractive lithium hydroxide.
• The economics represent only one of CleanTech Lithium’s projects, the Francisco Basin project provides further upside.

Commenting, Aldo Boitano, Chief Executive Officer, of Cleantech Lithium PLC, said:

“The Scoping Study provides added confidence in the robust economics of the Laguna Verde project; based on low operating and capital costs, with a post-tax NPV of US$1.83 billion and IRR of 45.1%, and a payback period of 1 year and 8 months. The study further advances the process and technical design concept for the project, with strong ESG principles incorporated at each step. With the completion of this study, the company is proceeding to a pre-feasibility study (PFS) for the project. The PFS will utilise technical data generated by our planned pilot plant, the DLE unit of which was recently ordered from SunResin, to produce a high level of process design verification for a PFS level study. “

This scoping study marks a major milestone for the company and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the scoping study consultant, Chilean based lithium sector experts Ad-Infinitum, as well as our technical team for their hard work in completing the study. The scoping study outlines a plan to produce battery-grade lithium with a low environmental footprint, which positions the company extremely well to supply the EU and US markets.

“Ad-Infinitum have already commenced work on the Francisco Basin scoping study and our Board is hopeful that the economics and ESG credentials prove to be as attractive as we’ve seen for Laguna Verde. We expect to announce the results of that scoping study in 1H23.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/05012023/cleantech-lithium-releases-scoping-study-results-at-laguna-verde/