Le lithium, le prix en baisse aprés la flambée.

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Green Lithium va construire la première usine de raffinage de Lithium de grosse capacité en UK. Capacité annoncée de 50 000 t par an.

Green Lithium to build UK’s first large-scale merchant lithium refinery

By NS Energy Staff Writer 08 Nov 2022

The new merchant lithium refinery will provide battery-grade materials for use in the electric vehicle, renewable energy, and consumer technology supply chains, with an annual production capacity of around 50,000 tonnes


British mineral processing company Green Lithium has announced its plans to build the UK’s first large-scale, centralised commercial lithium refinery at PD Ports in Teesside.

The new merchant lithium refinery will provide battery-grade materials for use in the electric vehicle, renewable energy, and consumer technology supply chains.

It will be designed to produce around 50,000 tonnes of low-carbon, battery-grade lithium chemicals annually.

The produced chemicals will be supplied for the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries, energy storage, grid stabilisation and EV batteries.

In addition, the new refinery is expected to create more than 1,000 new jobs during construction and 250 long-term high-skill jobs for local people once it begins operations.

Green Lithium chief executive officer Sean Sargent said: “Green Lithium’s vision is to support the acceleration of adoption of EVs and sustainable energy storage by increasing the supply of low carbon lithium chemicals, enabling the planet’s transition to sustainable energy.

“There is currently no lithium refining capability in Europe; localised lithium refining is urgently required to meet the exponential growth of European demand and protect against uncertainty from precarious international supply chains.

“Critically, Green Lithium will use a world-leading, sustainable, and low-carbon refining process, which has an 80% lower carbon footprint than traditional refineries in existing markets.”

The annual production level of the refinery is estimated to enable the production of around one million EVs in the European market, producing more than 15 million by 2030.

Lithium is a key component of batteries and plays an important role in the automotive and energy industries.

According to Green Lithium, 89% of the global hard-rock lithium is currently being processed in East Asia and Europe has no lithium refineries.

The company said that its new refinery will support the UK’s ‘Levelling Up’ strategy, along with the government’s local and regional development.

The UK Government has offered financial support to the company, through a grant of around £600,000 from the Automotive Transformation Fund.

Business Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We’re backing companies, like Green Lithium here in Teesside, to grow the new, green industries across the UK, sparking jobs and growth for decades to come.

“This is levelling up in action. The refinery will deliver more than 1,000 jobs during its construction and 250 long-term, high-skill jobs for local people when in operation.

“It is also allowing us to move quickly to secure our supply chains of critical minerals, as we know that geopolitical threats and global events beyond our control can severely impact the supply of key components that could delay the rollout of electric vehicles in the UK.”

https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/news/g ... finery-uk/

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After unveiling French project, Imerys sees lithium potential in UK’s Cornwall

Reuters | November 7, 2022


Melbur kaolin quarry in UK. Credit: Imerys

Minerals company Imerys has detected lithium in the British region of Cornwall and sees potential for its second foray into mining of the electric-vehicle battery metal after a French project unveiled last month, executives said on Monday.


The group this year undertook an assessment of its kaolin mining site in Cornwall and obtained an initial confirmation of the presence of lithium, Guillaume Delacroix, senior vice president in charge of performance minerals for EMEA, said during an investor presentation.

Imerys is pursuing exploration to establish the viability of mining lithium in the zone and views its kaolin operations in Cornwall’s longstanding mining industry as an advantage should it decide to develop a project, he added.

Other companies have been prospecting for lithium in Cornwall as Britain, like the rest of Europe, seeks to reduce its reliance on imported minerals for electric vehicle batteries.

Imerys announced in late October a plan to produce around 34,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide annually for at least 25 years from 2028, after finding a large deposit under a kaolin mine it operates in central France.

Chief Executive Officer Alessandro Dazza said he believed the lithium deposit in Cornwall represented “a quite significant amount” but less than detected at the company’s Beauvoir site, north of Clermont-Ferrand, which was among the biggest found in Europe.

He reiterated that Imerys is keeping its options open about financing the Beauvoir lithium plan, for which it sees construction costs of about 1 billion euros ($1 billion).

A decision is expected next year on whether to take on a partner, with Imerys’ preference to keep majority control, Dazza said.

The Beauvoir mine also has a significant amount of tantalum, which is used in electronic goods, as well as tin, which is partly used for semiconductors, and Imerys has started studying the possibility to extract these minerals that it does not currently produce, Dazza said.

https://www.mining.com/web/after-unveil ... -cornwall/

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suite de ce post du 29 oct 2022 viewtopic.php?p=2356551#p2356551

Mali : le lithium produit à Goulamina sera expédié via le Port d’Abidjan

Agence Ecofin 15 novembre 2022

Le Mali devrait devenir le premier producteur ouest-africain de lithium d’ici 2024, grâce à la mine Goulamina opérée par l’australien Leo Lithium. Sans accès à la mer, le pays a besoin de l’un des ports de la sous-région pour exporter le minerai.

Le concentré de spodumène produit à Goulamina sera expédié aux acheteurs internationaux à partir du port d’Abidjan en Côte d’Ivoire. C’est l’annonce faite mardi 15 novembre par l’australien Leo Lithium qui construit actuellement la première mine de lithium du Mali.
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https://www.agenceecofin.com/transport/ ... -d-abidjan

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suite de ce post du 11 oct 2021 viewtopic.php?p=2328335#p2328335

Rock Tech met à jour les ressources du projet Georgia Lake lithium au Canada :

Rock Tech updates Georgia Lake lithium resources with lower grades

Staff Writer | November 16, 2022

Rock Tech Lithium (TSXV: RCK) released a prefeasibility study for its Georgia Lake lithium project in northern Ontario showing lower resource grades and a reduced net present value, while dropping a plan to build a refinery.


The updated indicated resource comes to 10.6 million tonnes grading 0.88% lithium oxide, inferred resources of 4.2 million tonnes grading at 1% lithium oxide, the company announced on Wednesday. The study also included a first probable mineral reserve for Georgia Lake estimated at 7.3 million tonnes grading 0.82% lithium oxide.

That compared with a previous combined measured and indicated resource of 6.6 million tonnes grading 1.16% lithium oxide and an inferred resource of 6.7 million tonnes grading 1.16% lithium oxide in a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) released last year.

Georgia Lake, planned as an open-pit and underground mining project, is located 160 km northeast of Thunder Bay.

The Vancouver-based explorer’s new study projected an after-tax net present value of $146 million with a discount rate of 8% compared with $230 million at the same discount rate estimated in the PEA. However, the new study forecast an after-tax internal rate of return of 36% (based on a spodumene concentrate price of $1,500 per tonne) versus 20% in the PEA.

The new study supported the construction and operation of a 1-million-tonne-per-year concentrator at Georgia Lake. The project would cost $192.2 million to build, with sustaining capital costs of $98.5 million including closure after a nine-year mine life. The prefeasibility forecast average annual spodumene concentrate production of 100,000 tonnes at a cost of $719 per tonne.

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https://www.mining.com/rock-tech-update ... er-grades/

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Nouveau projet de Lithium aux USA : le projet Big Sandy

Arizona Lithium starts definitive feasibility study at Big Sandy lithium project

By NS Energy Staff Writer 22 Nov 2022

The Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) is being conducted based on encouraging results of the Scoping Study, with a focus on sustainability including alternative lixiviants and water conservation technologies

US-based mineral exploration company Arizona Lithium is advancing the development of the Big Sandy lithium project by starting a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) at the project.

Last month, the company completed a Scoping Study, which identified unique opportunities at the project, leveraging new extraction technology.

The technology will be fast-tracked for development and inclusion in the DFS, said Arizona Lithium.

The company’s Lithium Research Centre in Tempe, Arizona, will be used for technology development and collaboration with process equipment and battery manufacturers.

Arizona Lithium managing director Paul Lloyd said: “We are delighted to be fast-tracking the Definitive Feasibility Study in order to accelerate the development of the Big Sandy Project.

“I am currently in the US with our US-based senior leadership team in order to finalise the signing of key contractors for the DFS and strategising as to how to best utilise the DFS in the most environmentally friendly and sustainable manner.

“I look forward to keeping shareholders up to date with new strategic partnerships, the progress of the feasibility study and delivering an exciting report before the end of 2023.”

The DFS will focus on various aspects, including the minimisation of the carbon footprint related to the transportation of raw materials and finished products at the project.

Arizona Lithium currently owns and operates a Nikola Tre BEV electric semi-truck, which will be used to generate the performance and economic data for a full-scale fleet.

The DFS will include the design and production of biolixiviants and the company has already teamed up with Cemvita to develop the commercial-scale application of biolixiviants for lithium extraction from sedimentary ore.

It will also focus on the development of a chemically stable and structurally strong leached tailing that can be used as direct backfill for mining and reclamation activities.

Furthermore, DFS will consider the reclamation of mining and tailing facilities, application of direct lithium extraction (DLE), and reduction of water consumption, among others.

https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/news/a ... m-project/

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Mexico to start producing lithium batteries in late 2023

Cecilia Jamasmie | November 25, 2022

Mexico, which nationalized lithium resources in April, plans to start producing lithium batteries in late 2023 as it has secured foreign investment and the backing of the United States, its leading trading partner.

“We have already prepared for 2023 investments from companies from South Korea, China, and a program agreed with the US to start producing batteries in Mexico, we hope in the third or fourth quarter,” foreign minister Marcelo Ebrard said, according to local paper La Jornada.


President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announced last month a $2.5 billion plan to turn parts of the border region with the US into a clean energy hub, home to solar and wind plants as well as electric vehicle factories.

Mexico plans to build five large solar plants, recondition car factories to make electric vehicles, and produce batteries and semiconductors in Sonora.

The northern state, which shares nearly 600km (370 miles) of border with the US, aims to also host mining projects developed with American and Canadian investors.

The country does not yet have commercial lithium production, but it has contracts with a dozen foreign companies to explore potential deposits.

A recent report by Mexico’s finance ministry pegs the value of Sonora lithium reserves at $600 billion.

https://www.mining.com/mexico-to-start- ... late-2023/

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suite de ce post du 17 juillet 2022 viewtopic.php?p=2347526#p2347526

La construction de la mine de Lithium de Grota do Cirilo au Brésil avance nominalement. L'atelier de concassage va être prêt en fin d'année.

Sigma Lithium to wrap up first phase of $5.1bn Brazil project next month

Cecilia Jamasmie | November 22, 2022

Canadian explorer Sigma Lithium is on track to finish construction of the first phase of its Grota do Cirilo lithium hard rock project in Brazil by the end of this year.


Construction of the Grota do Cirilo lithium hard rock project. (Image courtesy of Sigma Lithium.)

In a call with investors held Monday, co-chief executive Ana Cabral-Gardner said the company will start commissioning the crushing plant by year-end, with commercial production expected in April, 2023.

Sigman Lithium, which values the project at $5.1 billion, expects to generate significant free cash flows in the second quarter of 2023, thanks to strong metal prices.

It said Grota do Cirilo is not only the largest hard rock lithium deposit in the Americas, but also one of the lowest-cost producers of battery-grade lithium concentrate.

The mine, being built in phases, is expected to produce 270,000 tonnes of lithium per year in phase one, increasing 531,000 tonnes of lithium per year once the two pits are operational.

Sigma said phase two and three engineering activities continue, adding it expects to publish resource updates expected by year-end.

The project, located in mining-friendly Minas Gerais state, has been producing battery-grade lithium concentrate on a pilot scale since 2018.

Atlantic supplier
Grota do Cirilo will be powered by a hydroelectric project located 50km (31 miles) away from the site and serve what Sigma dubs the emerging Atlantic supply chain for batteries and electric vehicles manufactured in North America and Europe.

Sigma expects a bifurcation in the market as growth outside of China accelerates with environmental factors including water, energy use and tailings becoming increasingly important to how producers are assessed.

Cabral-Gardner believes that Brazil has the potential to become a “green lithium powerhouse”.

Brazil is already a global case study in low carbon mobility powering cars with ethanol, biofuels and natural gas.

https://www.mining.com/sigma-lithium-wr ... ext-month/

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Les prix du lithium guidés par la demande gigantesque qui se profile

RFI le : 29/11/2022 Par : Marie-Pierre Olphand

Buenos Aires réunit en ce début de semaine le monde du lithium pour un sommet exceptionnel consacré à ce minerai indispensable à la construction des batteries des voitures électriques. Le lithium est devenu l'or blanc des industriels et son prix ne cesse de grimper depuis des mois.


La course au lithium ne faiblit pas et se traduit sur les marchés. Avec une demande qui devrait augmenter de 40 % d'ici à 2040 – selon l’Agence Internationale de l’Énergie – et des projets de batteries qui se multiplient, aux États-Unis et en Europe, les cours du lithium poursuivent leur ascension entamée en 2021.

Le prix du carbonate de lithium sur le marché spot, c'est-à-dire pour un achat au comptant, a été multiplié par huit en un an et demi. « Quels que soient les scénarios, le consensus est assez large : si l’électro-mobilité se développe au rythme prévu, la demande en lithium sera gigantesque », confirme un expert, Patrice Christmann, ex-directeur adjoint de la recherche et de la stratégie au BRGM (Bureau de recherches géologiques et minières) aujourd’hui chercheur indépendant. Le niveau précis de la demande reste cependant difficile à évaluer, car il dépendra entre autres de l’appétit des consommateurs pour tels ou tels véhicules électriques.

Projets miniers : encore beaucoup d’obstacles à passer

« La question qui guide aussi les prix est de savoir quand et comment la production va s’arrimer à la demande », explique l’expert. « Il y a beaucoup de projets dans les tuyaux, mais il faudra voir à quelle vitesse ils se concrétisent : tant qu’un projet ne dispose pas des permis juridiquement nécessaires pour son exploitation et tant que les capitaux requis pour les investissements ne sont pas mobilisés, la virtualité reste de mise », précise Patrice Christmann.


Le lithium est loin d’être rare sur terre, mais les volumes de lithium accessibles et qui offrent une pureté qui puisse répondre aux exigences de performance et de longévité des batteries, sont limités. Dans ce contexte d’incertitude sur les approvisionnements, les industriels ont tendance à privilégier les accords de fourniture à long terme en achetant des parts de production de mines, voire parfois même des parts dans des projets qui ne sont pas encore en construction. C’est le cas de celui de Vulcan Energy en Allemagne autour duquel plusieurs constructeurs automobiles, et notamment Renault, se sont déjà prépositionnés.

L’offensive chinoise

Les Chinois ne sont pas les derniers dans la ruée vers ce qu’on appelle désormais l’or blanc. Ils multiplient les investissements, là où il y a du lithium. On prête même au groupe BYD l’intention d’acheter plusieurs mines de lithium en Afrique.

https://www.rfi.fr/fr/podcasts/chroniqu ... se-profile

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suite de ce post du 19 nov 2022 viewtopic.php?p=2358253#p2358253

Mali : le copropriétaire du lithium de Goulamina s’inscrit sur la bourse de Francfort en Allemagne

Agence Ecofin 29 nov 2022

Le potentiel du projet Goulamina considéré comme l’une des futures plus grandes mines de lithium en Afrique et dans le monde, attire plusieurs investisseurs. Déjà coté en Australie, son copropriétaire Leo Lithium se rapproche désormais des investisseurs intéressés en Allemagne.

La compagnie minière australienne Leo Lithium active au Mali sur le projet de lithium Goulamina entre en bourse en Allemagne. Les actions de la société sont en effet désormais négociables sous le symbole WX0 sur le marché libre de la bourse de Francfort, indique un communiqué publié le mardi 29 novembre.

Cette inscription répond, apprend-on, à une forte demande des investisseurs présents dans ce pays pour les actions de la société. Déjà cotée sur la principale place financière australienne, l’ASX, la société a opté pour le marché libre de Francfort pour sa cotation secondaire, notamment parce que ce dernier est plus adapté aux entreprises de taille moyenne que le marché réglementé.

Pour rappel, la mine de lithium Goulamina, que Leo Lithium construit actuellement au Mali est détenue en coentreprise avec le chinois Ganfeng Lithium qui finance principalement les travaux.

https://www.agenceecofin.com/compagnie/ ... -allemagne

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Afrique du Sud : la production reprendra sur l’ancienne mine de lithium Blesberg en décembre 2022

Agence Ecofin 28 novembre 2022

Alors que les ressources en lithium, cuivre, étain, cobalt, etc. de plusieurs pays sont restées inexploitées ou sous-exploitées pendant longtemps, les besoins en métaux pour réussir la transition énergétique suscitent aujourd’hui l’intérêt d’un nombre croissant d’investisseurs.

En Afrique du Sud, la compagnie minière Marula Mining (anciennement All Star Minerals) commencera à vendre du minerai de lithium à une filiale locale du négociant luxembourgeois de matières premières Traxys, dès janvier 2023. C’est ce qu’elle a indiqué dans une mise à jour publiée le vendredi 25 novembre, précisant que ce produit viendra de l’ancienne mine de lithium et de tantale Blesberg située dans le Cap Nord, où la production reprendra courant décembre 2022.

Blesberg a historiquement produit du concentré de spodumène (un minerai contenant du lithium), de la tantalite. Arrivée sur le projet seulement cette année en rachetant une participation de 5 % auprès de Gathoni Muchai Investments en juin, Marula a finalisé il y a quelques jours l’acquisition des 95 % d’intérêts restants.

Dans l’intervalle, la société a mobilisé les équipements miniers sur le site et commencé à récupérer les stocks de minerai provenant de l’exploitation historique du tantale afin de les traiter. Elle a également assuré l’approvisionnement en électricité et en eau de la mine, et aménagé les infrastructures d’hébergement du personnel.


Commenced processing of stockpiles at Blesberg Lithium and Tantalum Mine.

Notons que la stratégie de Marula à Blesberg est axée sur des opérations à petite échelle dans un premier temps, le temps que la société finance un programme de forage en vue de déterminer le potentiel du gisement. Des échantillons historiques prélevés en 2016 ont montré des teneurs en lithium allant jusqu’à 6,42 % dans le spodumène.

Rappelons que la province du Cap Nord est connue depuis le début du 20ème siècle pour héberger divers gisements de spodumène. Si le pays ne fait plus partie des producteurs africains de lithium (le Zimbabwe est d’ailleurs le seul à disposer d’une mine industrielle sur le continent), l’explosion de la demande pour ce métal pourrait inciter de plus en plus d’investisseurs à s’intéresser au potentiel de la nation arc-en-ciel.

https://www.agenceecofin.com/metaux/281 ... embre-2022

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suite de ce post du 29 sept 2022 viewtopic.php?p=2353921#p2353921

Sibanye-Stillwater lance le projet de line de Lithium Keiber en Finlande avec un Capex de 588 millions d'euros. Avec une usine de raffinage d'hydroxyde de Lithium.

Sibanye-Stillwater approves €588m CAPEX for Keliber lithium project.
The development programmes of the Finnish project will begin with the construction of the Kokkola lithium hydroxide refinery located at the Kokkola industrial park

By NS Energy Staff Writer 29 Nov 2022

South Africa-based miner Sibanye-Stillwater has approved a capital expenditure (CAPEX) of €588m to advance the Keliber lithium hydroxide project in Finland.

The Keliber project is owned by Finnish mining and battery chemical firm Keliber. Last month, Sibanye-Stillwater raised its interest in Keliber to 84.96% through a series of transactions.

Sibanye-Stillwater said that the development programmes of the Finnish project will begin with the construction of the Kokkola lithium hydroxide refinery located at the Kokkola industrial park.

Once operational, the Kokkola refinery is expected to produce an average of 15,000 tonnes of battery grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate per annum.

Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Neal Froneman said: “We are delighted to advance and grow our presence in the European battery metals industry through Keliber, which we expect will be the first fully integrated European lithium hydroxide producer supplying the European market and is expected to have one of the lowest carbon emission footprints in the industry.

“We look forward to working with all stakeholders to deliver this exceptional project which will contribute to the Finnish battery metals ecosystem as well as to the growth of our unique portfolio of green metals that reverse climate change.”

Located in the Central Ostrobothnia region, the Keliber lithium project has an estimated life-of-mine of 16 years at an average annual milling rate of about 800,000 tonnes.

A definitive feasibility study (DFS) of the Keliber project was updated in October 2022. The DFS estimates a 20% post tax internal rate of return (IRR) and a post-tax net present value of €887m for the project.

Sibanye-Stillwater intends to underwrite a capital raise of €104m, which is expected to be closed by Keliber at the end of January 2023. The latter is also anticipated to borrow a minimum of €250m of debt to fully fund the construction of the lithium project.

Once all the environmental permits are secured, the construction activities of the Päiväneva concentrator and the initial two open pit mines, the Syväjärvi mine and the Rapasaari mine are expected to begin, said Sibanye-Stillwater.

https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/news/s ... m-project/

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suite de ce post du 22 oct 2022 viewtopic.php?p=2355920#p2355920

L’usine de traitement de la première mine de lithium du Ghana sera conçue par l’australien Primero

Agence Ecofin 13 dec 2022

Au Ghana, l’australien Atlantic accélère depuis quelques mois ses activités à Ewoyaa, pour en faire la première mine de lithium du pays d’ici 2024. La société prévoit une mise à jour de l’estimation de ressources minérales début 2023 et une étude de faisabilité définitive pour fin juin au plus tard.

Atlantic Lithium, basée à Sydney, a annoncé le mardi 13 décembre l’attribution d’un contrat d’ingénierie à la société Primero, filiale du géant australien NRW Holdings. D’une valeur de 980 000 dollars, il porte sur la conception et l’ingénierie de base (FEED) de l’usine de traitement de la future mine de lithium Ewoyaa au Ghana.

« Primero est un leader de l’industrie de l’ingénierie et de la construction dans le secteur du lithium, comme le prouvent leur expertise technique, leur qualité et leur efficacité dans un vaste portefeuille de projets à travers le monde », a souligné Neil Herbert, président exécutif d’Atlantic Lithium.

Il faut en effet rappeler que la société a déjà fourni des services similaires pour la construction des mines de lithium Bald Hull, Mt Holland ou encore Pilgangoora, toutes situées en Australie. A Ewoyaa, les principales missions de Primero seront l’optimisation du schéma de fonctionnement du projet et l’identification de moyens pour maximiser sa rentabilité à long terme tout en réduisant le risque lié à son exécution dans les prochains mois.

Pour rappel, Ewoyaa reste en bonne voie pour devenir la première mine de lithium du Ghana. Son propriétaire a conclu un accord avec l’américain Piedmont Lithium pour le financement des travaux de construction et compte publier une étude de faisabilité définitive d’ici juin 2023, afin de débloquer ces fonds.

Selon une étude de préfaisabilité publiée cette année, la future mine peut être exploitée sur 12,5 ans et générer 4,84 milliards $ sur la période.

https://www.agenceecofin.com/metaux/131 ... en-primero

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suite de ce post du 27 nov 2022 viewtopic.php?p=2358620#p2358620

Arizona Lithium and Navajo Nation firm collaborate for US lithium project
As per the non-binding terms sheet, NTEC will manage all permitting and contract mining services for the Big Sandy project.

December 6, 2022

Lithium developer Arizona Lithium has formed a strategic alliance with Navajo Transitional Energy Company (NTEC), a wholly owned company by The Navajo Nation, to develop the Big Sandy lithium project in the US.

According to the non-binding strategic alliance terms sheet, NTEC will manage all permitting and contract mining services for the Big Sandy project.

The terms sheet allows the two firms to start the initial work on the development of the Big Sandy project. It also provides time for the parties to advance mutual due diligence and the development of a final definitive agreement.

Arizona Lithium managing director Paul Lloyd said: “Through our initial agreement, and subject to agreeing on definitive agreements, NTEC will take over the operational development of Big Sandy and will manage all aspects from the permitting requirements for additional exploratory drilling process through to mine design, environmental assessments, construction, and contract mining operations for the project.”

A definitive agreement between the firms would allow NTEC to receive a cash remuneration or Arizona Lithium shares and options to purchase additional ordinary shares by meeting certain milestones in the project development.

If a definitive agreement is signed, NTEC managing director Vern Lund would join Arizona Lithium’s board and NTEC will serve as the mine operator.

Located on interstate I93 between Phoenix and Las Vegas, the Big Sandy Project is a shallow, flat-lying mineralised sedimentary lithium resource.

According to the estimates, the project holds a total indicated and inferred JORC resource of 32.5 million tonnes grading 1,850 ppm Li for 320,800t of Li₂CO₃.

https://www.mining-technology.com/news/ ... s-lithium/

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suite de ce post du 29 oct 2022 viewtopic.php?p=2356590#p2356590

Vulcan Energy annonce un peu de retard dans ses plans :

Vulcan Energy delays lithium output target by a year

Reuters | December 14, 2022

Lithium supplier Vulcan Energy is around a year behind schedule to reach an annual capacity of 40,000 tonnes because of supply chain delays, the company’s chief executive told Reuters on Monday.


Plans to build a sample facility in the summer of 2022 were held back by material shortages because of supply chain bottlenecks, delaying the feasibility study the company hopes to use to attract the more than 1.7 billion euros it requires in investment.

The study will now come out in early 2023, with 40,000 tonnes of output reached by the end of 2026 rather than 2025 as first announced, Chief Executive Horst Kreuter said.

Vulcan Energy already has offtake agreements with automakers Volkswagen, Stellantis and Renault as well as Umicore, LG Chem’s battery unit LG Energy, and utility firm MVV Energy.

Agreements range from 5-6 year terms to 20 years for the utility firm.

It now expects to extract 18,400 tonnes of lithium in its first year of operation in 2025, using a new technology which extracts lithium-rich brine from water in underground reservoirs.

Yet onlookers like Germany’s Karlsruhe Technology Institute (KIT) see even the postponed plan as unrealistic, pointing out that the technology is untested and still needs to obtain various licences.

A study conducted by the Institute earlier this year said that it would take 20 extraction sites to reach a volume of about 40,000 tonnes of lithium per year, which could not be set up before the end of the decade.

Asked about the study, Vulcan Energy – which has licences for about 1,500 square kilometres of land in Germany – argued its technology was so efficient it could extract the 40,000 tonnes from just five sites.

“We base our forecasts on the status of the technology, not the theory,” Kreuter said. “We know how it works.”

https://www.mining.com/web/vulcan-energ ... by-a-year/

[energy_isere]

Albemarle to build $180m US lithium research centre

Cecilia Jamasmie | December 14, 2022


Albemarle’s Silver Peak operation, the only lithium mine in the US. (Credit: Wikipedia)

The world’s top lithium supplier Albemarle (NYSE: ALB) will invest at least $180 million to build a new technology park in the US state of North Carolina, where it expects to advance its research in lithium and other products.


The miner expects that innovations from the new site, to be located in Charlotte’s University City area, will improve lithium recovery and production methods, as well as introduce new forms of lithium to enable breakthrough levels of battery performance.

“Albemarle Technology Park is part of our mine-to-market innovation strategy to invest in the US EV battery supply chain and to be a leader in advanced lithium materials for next-generation energy storage,” CEO Kent Masters said in the statement.

The company noted it had received a nearly $13 million incentive package from the State of North Carolina to build the research centre by transforming a former IBM and Flextronics facility.

The lithium giant anticipates creating at least 200 jobs at the site, with an average salary of $94,000 per year. It also intends to triple the number of Ph.D. professionals in the Albemarle Technology Park (ATP).

The facility is part of Albemarle’s emerging strategy to lead the booming US lithium sector, from mine development to processing to manufacturing types of the metal used to make the batteries that power electric vehicles.

The company expects initial occupancy of the new facility by early 2025 and completion of the ATP campus by late 2026.

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https://www.mining.com/albemarle-to-bui ... ch-centre/