IBAT Commences Lithium Production
International Battery Metals (IBAT) has commenced commercial-scale lithium production using a separation method that is considered an environmentally friendly alternative for electric vehicle batteries. The Houston-based company announced on Thursday that it has started operations at its direct lithium extraction (DLE) modular plant, which produces lithium chloride from a brine byproduct of magnesium production.
Collaboration with US Magnesium
The brine feedstock will be supplied by US Magnesium under an agreement made in May to locate the facility near their operations outside Salt Lake City, Utah. As part of the contract, IBAT will provide US Magnesium with lithium chloride, which will then be refined into battery-grade lithium carbonate. In return, IBAT will earn royalties from lithium sales and rent for its proprietary equipment.
Advantages of DLE Technology
DLE is promoted as a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional brine mining methods, which consume large amounts of water and rely on extensive evaporation pools, yielding an average lithium recovery rate of only 20 to 40%. These methods present both ecological and profitability challenges.
Modular Plant and Production Capacity
IBAT claims its technology can extract more than 97% of the lithium available from brine sources while recycling up to 98% of the water used. According to the company, this portable DLE plant, with a capacity of 5,000 metric tonnes per year, can reach production within 18 months of construction start.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.