Western Lithium Continues Optimization Studies With Tenova Bateman

Western Lithium USA Corporation (TSX:WLC) is continuing optimization studies with Tenova Bateman Technologies. Tenova will complete an order-of-magnitude preliminary engineering study for Western Lithium’s Nevada deposit.

As quoted in the press release:

Bateman has developed an advanced solvent extraction technology known as the LiSX™ process that is designed to efficiently separate and concentrate lithium from brines and chemical streams. In 2010, Western Lithium engaged Bateman to conduct bench-scale testing of the LiSX™ process on lithium-enriched brine simulating Western Lithium’s Nevada deposit. The test produced saturated lithium brine concentrates of >99.9% purity.

Also in 2010, Western Lithium began development of its electrochemical circuit to produce high purity lithium hydroxide from its Nevada brines, for battery applications. Western Lithium has been advancing its lithium hydroxide circuit and plans to test whether the Bateman LiSX™ lithium separation method is complementary to the Company’s lithium hydroxide and carbonate products. Utilizing low energy requirements, the LiSX™ process has the potential to enable the production of various customized high-purity (>99.9%) lithium end-products. Western Lithium is familiar with similar solvent extraction technologies that have been used extensively in other metal and mineral extraction industries.

If successful, the Bateman LiSX™ process would be a slight design modification to Western Lithium’s current lithium extraction process, that the Company could offer to strategic partners that have a primary interest to purchase lithium hydroxide. Otherwise, the Company expects to advance its current lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide process. The next phase of study with Bateman will determine the economic impact of using the Bateman technology to eliminate the intermediate lithium carbonate step, and go directly to Western Lithium’s electrochemical lithium hydroxide circuit.

Western Lithium CEO, Jay Chmelauskas, said:

It is our core value to always be on the look out for leading technologies in our business. By combining technological innovation with our large concentration of lithium molecules at our property in Nevada, we have the potential to supply multiple, large scale lithium-ion battery facilities around the globe with state-of-the-art products.

Click here to read the Western Lithium USA Corporation (TSX:WLC) press release