Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Optimization study identifies sources of lower cost.Century Lithium recently completed an initial internal optimization study of its Angel Island Lithium project. The review identified cost reductions of up to 25%, or $395.2 million, associated with the project’s Phase I capital expenditures totaling $1,580.7 billion. Recall the most recent feasibility study dated April 29, 2024, contemplates three phases of production with the capital costs associated with the second and third phases amounting to $657.0 million and $1,338.5 billion, respectively.
Key areas of focus.Among other potential cost savings, the study identified opportunities to reduce capital costs through changes in the flow sheet, equipment selection, and updated vendor quotes in the processing areas of filtration, direct lithium extraction, and the chlor-alkali plant. The study also identified potential areas where modification of site facilities and the elimination of inefficiencies could streamline the process from mining to the production of battery-grade lithium. We expect that some of these efficiencies may extend to Phases II and III thus offering the potential for additional savings.
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February 24, 2025 – Vancouver, Canada – Century Lithium Corp. (TSXV:LCE) (OTCQX: CYDVF) (Frankfurt: C1Z) (“Century Lithium” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce that the Company has completed its initial internal, non-independent review, optimization work, and studies (“Optimization Study”) related to the estimated capital (“CAPEX”) described in the NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Feasibility Study of the Clayton Valley Lithium Project (now known as Angel Island), Nevada, USA, dated April 29, 2024 (“Feasibility Study”). The Optimization Study identified potential cost reductions of up to 25% of CAPEX on its initial Phase 1 CAPEX of $1.581 billion.
Optimization Study highlights leading to the CAPEX reductions:
Reduced capital costs through changes in flow sheet, equipment selection and updated vendor quotes in the processing areas of filtration, Direct Lithium Extraction (“DLE”) and the chlor-alkali plant
Internal evaluation of the estimated engineering and construction plans to identify areas of overlap and locations within the plan where modifications of site facilities and elimination of redundancies and inefficiencies can streamline the process from mining to the planned on-site production of battery-grade lithium carbonate (“Li2CO3”)
Reductions in the estimated cost for on-site services resulting from the changes in processing
Reduction in estimated indirect costs for contingency and EPCM calculated in the Feasibility Study as a percentage of direct costs as a result of the cost reductions set out above
“We are very pleased with the outcome of the Optimization Study. These results, if confirmed by an updated Feasibility Study, will have a significant impact on the economics of Angel Island,” said Century Lithium President and CEO, Bill Willoughby. “The Company is also in the process of outlining new initiatives at Angel Island that will further unlock value for our shareholders and place Angel Island in the forefront of lithium resources under development in North America.”
“Lithium remains critical for Western independence in its energy transformation, underpinning the long-term fundamentals of the industry despite current depressed prices. We believe that with these improved economics and its advanced stage of development Angel Island has now become a key asset in the broader United States’ lithium strategy.”
Century Lithium will initiate work on an Updated Feasibility Study for Angel Island to confirm the results of the Optimization Study to the required level. Century Lithium believes that the optimizations to Angel Island’s mine plan and processing, and the sale of surplus sodium hydroxide generated in the production process, will lead to competitive estimated capital and operating costs.
Qualified Person
Todd Fayram, MMSA-QP and Senior Vice President, Metallurgy of Century Lithium is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has approved the technical information in this release.
ABOUT CENTURY LITHIUM CORP.
Century Lithium Corp. is an advanced stage lithium company, focused on developing its wholly owned Angel Island project in Esmeralda County, Nevada, which hosts one of the largest sedimentary lithium deposits in the United States. The Company has utilized its patent-pending process for chloride leaching combined with Direct Lithium Extraction to make battery-grade lithium carbonate product samples from Angel Island’s lithium-bearing claystone on-site at its Demonstration Plant in Amargosa Valley, Nevada.
Angel Island is one of the few advanced lithium projects in development in the United States to provide an end-to-end process to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate for the growing electric vehicle and battery storage market. Angel Island is currently in the permitting stage for a three-phase feasibility-level production plan expected to yield an estimated life-of-mine average of 34,000 tonnes per year of lithium carbonate over a 40-year mine-life, with one of the lowest estimated operating costs for lithium projects in North America.
Century Lithium trades on both the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “LCE” and the OTCQX under the symbol “CYDVF”; and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol “C1Z”.
NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.
This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved” and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook.
Forward-looking statements relate to any matters that are not historical facts and statements of our beliefs, intentions and expectations about developments, results and events which will or may occur in the future, without limitation, statements with respect to the potential development and value of the Project and benefits associated therewith, statements with respect to the expected project economics for the Project, such as estimates of life of mine, lithium prices, production and recoveries, capital and operating costs, IRR, NPV and cash flows, any projections outlined in the Feasibility Study in respect of the Project, the permitting status of the Project and the Company’s future development plans.
These and other forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, that may cause their actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein.These risks include those described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent annual information form and its other public filings, copies of which can be under the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.com. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update-forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Furthermore, Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
February 4, 2025 – Vancouver, Canada – Century Lithium Corp. (TSXV:LCE) (OTCQX: CYDVF) (Frankfurt: C1Z) (“Century Lithium” or “the Company”) is pleased to provide an update on its wholly owned Angel Island project near Silver Peak, Nevada, USA and associated Lithium Extraction Facility (“Pilot Plant”) in Amargosa Valley Nevada. The Company has completed the successful implementation of process improvements at its Pilot Plant. These changes were developed in collaboration with Amalgamated Research, LLC (“ARi”) of Twin Falls, Idaho, a research and development company specializing in industrial implementation of process technologies. Century Lithium is now shifting the focus at its Pilot Plant from research and development to demonstration.
“The initial results from ARi are very encouraging, indicating greater efficiency can be achieved that could result in positive reductions in the estimated capital and operating costs at Angel Island,” said Century Lithium President and CEO, Bill Willoughby. “Century Lithium remains committed to delivering value to our shareholders through Angel Island, one of the few advanced lithium projects in the United States. We are optimistic about the long-term fundamentals of the lithium market and the strategic importance of Angel Island to the future mineral supply in the United States.”
Project Update
The processing testing program (“Program”) implemented ARi’s proprietary adsorption-based technology for Direct Lithium Extraction (“DLE”) and was accomplished in conjunction with ARi’s Twin Falls testing facilities and Century Lithium’s Pilot Plant. The results of the Program are positive and further validate the efficiency of Century Lithium’s extraction technology. The Program augmented Century Lithium’s DLE system with the addition of ARi equipment and expertise. Early results indicate Century Lithium can eliminate the recycle loops within its DLE and lithium carbonate areas, while increasing eluate grades. The Company believes this will result in a substantial reduction in estimated capital and operating costs at Angel Island.
The decision to shift the focus at the Pilot Plant to demonstration mode is two-fold; it will allow the Company to focus on providing dedicated testing to prospective strategic partners or potential end-users and reduce the ongoing operating costs of the Pilot Plant. Current Pilot Plant operations will continue to convert a backlog of lithium solutions, which were made prior to the commissioning of the on-site lithium carbonate process at the Pilot Plant, into battery-grade lithium carbonate.
Moving Forward
The Company recently announced a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Orica Specialty Mining Chemicals (see news release). The non-binding MOU outlines the intent of Century Lithium and Orica to formalize a multiyear offtake agreement for Orica to purchase sodium hydroxide from Angel Island. The favorable outlook for the sodium hydroxide by-product contributes significantly to Century Lithium’s low-cost lithium carbonate production model.
Ongoing engineering is focused on mining, and the leaching, filtration, DLE, and lithium carbonate processing areas. The Company continues to compile all data generated at the Pilot Plant. The data will be used in engineering models and to run analytical tests on full-scale construction designs focused on further reducing the estimated capital and operating costs for producing lithium carbonate at Angel Island.
Century Lithium remains focused on seeking strategic partnerships with potential end-users and market participants interested in securing a domestic supply of battery-grade lithium carbonate. The Company continues to move forward with permitting work to ensure that our future operations at Angel Island will align with both regulatory requirements and Century Lithium’s environmental and social stewardship goals.
Qualified Person
Todd Fayram, MMSA-QP and Senior Vice President, Metallurgy of Century Lithium is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has approved the technical information in this release.
ABOUT Ari
Amalgamated Research LLC (ARi) is a supplier of chromatography, adsorption, and ion exchange technology and equipment specialized in commercializing innovative technology at large industrial scale. ARi has developed a cost-effective and streamlined solution for adsorption-based direct lithium extraction that maximizes plant profitability while minimizing upfront capital cost. ARi’s patented fluid distribution and mixing technology de-risks scale-up allowing separation processes to be reliably scaled from pilot plant data up to industrial vessels exceeding 20-ft in diameter, with no degradation in equipment performance. ARi provides a full spectrum of customer support services, from proof of concept through to industrial-scale installation. Comprehensive analytical services and a wide range of pilot equipment are available on-site to support process development and scale-up. Please visit arifractal.net for more information.
ABOUT CENTURY LITHIUM CORP.
Century Lithium Corp. is an advanced stage lithium company, focused on developing its wholly owned Angel Island project in Esmeralda County, Nevada, which hosts one of the largest sedimentary lithium deposits in the United States. The Company has utilized its patent-pending process for chloride leaching combined with direct lithium extraction to make high purity lithium carbonate product samples from Angel Island lithium-bearing claystone on-site at its Pilot Plant in Amargosa Valley, Nevada.
Angel Island is one of the few advanced lithium projects in development in the United States to provide an end-to-end process to produce battery quality lithium carbonate for the growing electric vehicle and battery storage market. Angel Island is currently in the permitting stage for a three-phase feasibility-level production plan expected to yield an average of 34,000 tonnes per year of lithium carbonate over a 40-year mine-life.
Century Lithium trades on both the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “LCE” and the OTCQX under the symbol “CYDVF”; and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol “C1Z”.
NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.
This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved” and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook.
Forward-looking statements relate to any matters that are not historical facts and statements of our beliefs, intentions and expectations about developments, results and events which will or may occur in the future, without limitation, statements with respect to the potential development and value of the Project and benefits associated therewith, statements with respect to the expected project economics for the Project, such as estimates of life of mine, lithium prices, production and recoveries, capital and operating costs, IRR, NPV and cash flows, any projections outlined in the Feasibility Study in respect of the Project, the permitting status of the Project and the Company’s future development plans.
These and other forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, that may cause their actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein. These risks include those described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent annual information form and its other public filings, copies of which can be under the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.com. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update-forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Furthermore, Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
Key Points: – Rio Tinto is acquiring Arcadium Lithium in an all-cash deal worth $5.85 per share, a 90% premium over Arcadium’s recent stock price. – Arcadium’s lithium production capacity is set to more than double by 2028, positioning it for growth in the rising lithium market. – The acquisition strengthens Rio Tinto’s role in energy transition commodities, with long-term lithium demand expected to grow 10% annually through 2040.
Arcadium Lithium (NYSE: ALTM) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by global mining giant Rio Tinto in an all-cash transaction valued at $5.85 per share. The deal represents a 90% premium over Arcadium’s October 4 closing price of $3.08, highlighting the significant value Rio Tinto sees in Arcadium’s assets and growth potential.
Arcadium, a rapidly growing, vertically integrated lithium chemicals producer, currently boasts a production capacity of 75,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent, with plans to more than double that by 2028. Rio Tinto’s acquisition of Arcadium strengthens its portfolio in energy transition commodities, establishing it as a leader in the fast-growing lithium market.
The transaction is expected to unlock additional growth for Arcadium by leveraging Rio Tinto’s global expertise, scale, and resources. Arcadium’s Tier 1 assets, which include high-margin operations and an attractive suite of growth projects, will benefit from Rio Tinto’s capacity to accelerate their development. The long-term outlook for lithium demand is robust, with annual growth projected at 10% through 2040, providing a solid foundation for future expansion.
Despite falling lithium carbonate prices, driven by oversupply from China, the acquisition reflects Rio Tinto’s confidence in the long-term value of Arcadium’s business. The deal is subject to customary regulatory approvals and shareholder consent.
August 6, 2024 – Vancouver, Canada – Century Lithium Corp. (TSXV:LCE) (OTCQX: CYDVF) (Frankfurt: C1Z) (Century Lithium or the Company) is pleased to report the successful addition of a lithium carbonate stage at the Company’s Lithium Extraction Facility (Pilot Plant) in Amargosa Valley, Nevada, USA, part of the Company’s 100%-owned Angel Island Mine (the Project). Prior to this addition, concentrated lithium solutions from the Pilot Plant were treated by Saltworks Inc. at their facility in Richmond B.C. where samples of battery quality lithium carbonate were produced. During the first days of startup of the lithium carbonate stage, Century’s team at the Pilot Plant successfully treated 200 liters of concentrated lithium solution and produced 20 kg of high-grade lithium carbonate onsite.
“At this point in time, the ability to make lithium carbonate at our Pilot Plant is an important step forward, in line with recommendations from our recently completed Feasibility Study” commented President and CEO Bill Willoughby. “The drop in lithium prices over the last year has taken a toll on the share price of all lithium companies. Despite the downturn, domestic production is still key to the security of supply in the U.S. While it is becoming well known that a vast amount of lithium is contained within the claystone deposits of Nevada, the benefit in unlocking these resources is the ability to produce a battery quality lithium product onsite and thereby reducing or eliminating the need for downstream processing.”
The Company continues work at the Pilot Plant, utilizing the Company’s patent-pending process for chloride leaching combined with Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) to generate data as the Company works to identify further technological breakthroughs to make the extraction of lithium from clay more economic. Adding the lithium carbonate stage at the Pilot Plant is one of the recommendations made in the Feasibility Study, not only to further demonstrate that battery quality lithium carbonate can be made, but to better understand and minimize the recycle streams from the DLE stage through to final product in the process. With the assistance of engineers from Hargrove Engineers and Constructors, Century’s team configured equipment to run 40-liter batches of concentrated lithium solution though precipitation, washing and drying steps. Final assays on the lithium carbonate are pending.
Qualified Person
Todd Fayram, MMSA-QP and Senior Vice President, Metallurgy of Century Lithium is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has approved the technical information in this release.
ABOUT CENTURY LITHIUM CORP.
Century Lithium Corp. is an advanced stage lithium company, focused on developing its 100%-owned Angel Island Mine in west-central Nevada, USA. Century Lithium recently completed a Feasibility Study on its Clayton Valley Lithium Project and is currently in the permitting stage, with the goal of becoming a domestic producer of lithium for the growing electric vehicle and battery storage market.
ON BEHALF OF CENTURY LITHIUM CORP. WILLIAM WILLOUGHBY, PhD., PE President & Chief Executive Officer
NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.
This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved” and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook.
Forward-looking statements relate to any matters that are not historical facts and statements of our beliefs, intentions and expectations about developments, results and events which will or may occur in the future, without limitation, statements with respect to the potential development and value of the Project and benefits associated therewith, statements with respect to the expected project economics for the Project, such as estimates of life of mine, lithium prices, production and recoveries, capital and operating costs, IRR, NPV and cash flows, any projections outlined in the Feasibility Study in respect of the Project, the permitting status of the Project and the Company’s future development plans.
These and other forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, that may cause their actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein.These risks include those described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent annual information form and its other public filings, copies of which can be under the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.com. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update-forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Furthermore, Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
The electric vehicle (EV) race is heating up on the global stage. Recent data shows Chinese automaker BYD has overtaken Tesla as the top selling EV maker in the fourth quarter of 2023. BYD sold over 525,000 battery electric vehicles from October to December, surpassing Tesla’s nearly 485,000 deliveries.
This shift signals China’s rising prominence as a major force in the EV industry. With enormous growth potential in the world’s largest auto market, Chinese companies like BYD are positioned to reshape the competitive landscape. Their success has wide-ranging implications for investors across the auto and battery supply chains.
BYD’s meteoric growth is fueled by China’s EV-friendly policies. The government has implemented aggressive targets, mandating that new energy vehicles comprise 20% of sales by 2025 and become mainstream by 2035. China is reaching these goals years ahead of schedule thanks to subsidies and infrastructure spending. New energy vehicle sales exceeded 30% of the market in the first 11 months of 2023.
Tesla still led BYD in total global EV sales for full-year 2023, delivering 1.8 million vehicles versus BYD’s 1.57 million. But BYD is closing the gap rapidly, with sales up 73% last year. The company aims to double its international dealer network in 2023 and boost overseas sales five-fold.
To accommodate this growth, BYD plans to construct its first passenger EV plant in Europe. The facility in Hungary will complement BYD’s existing European bus factory. This international expansion mirrors China’s broader effort to increase exports and take on traditional automakers like Volkswagen and Renault in their home markets.
The intense competition has sparked a price war in China, with Tesla and others slashing costs in 2022 to retain market share. While this boosted sales, it eroded industry profit margins. Surging raw material prices also squeezed margins across the supply chain. Battery-grade lithium carbonate rose over 280% last year.
Sourcing enough lithium and other battery metals remains a concern. According to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, demand growth for lithium-ion batteries will require global lithium supply to expand eight-fold by 2030. Companies are racing to secure upstream supplies and lithium producers’ stocks have benefited.
But the launch of new mines takes time. Geopolitical factors may also constrain near-term growth in critical mineral supply from key regions like South America. This supply/demand imbalance poses a risk to the pace of EV adoption worldwide.
Investors will closely watch how BYD navigates these headwinds. Vertically integrated automakers like BYD with control over more battery and mineral assets may have an advantage. But no company is immune from margin compression if prices remain elevated.
Regardless, China’s trajectory toward EV supremacy seems clear. The country boasts advantages in scale, cost, and the supply chain that will be difficult for rivals to replicate. Tesla’s position appears secure as the leading global luxury EV brand. But Chinese automakers are poised to dominate the larger mass-market segments.
For investors, this reshuffled landscape demands a reassessment of portfolio positioning. Companies tied to China’s booming EV ecosystem warrant consideration. However, risks around growth assumptions, valuation, and competitive dynamics in a rapidly evolving industry must be weighed. While the road ahead remains challenging, China has signaled plans to set the pace in the global EV race.
Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Feasibility study expected in the first quarter of 2024. Throughout 2023, Century Lithium has focused on pilot plant operations and completing the Clayton Valley Lithium Project feasibility study which is expected in the first quarter of 2024. Target production for the study will be consistent with the earlier preliminary feasibility study although the company is currently examining the benefits of a phased approach to full scale production.
By-product sales of sodium hydroxide. Clayton Valley uses locally sourced sodium chloride brine which is treated by electrolysis in a chlor-alkali plant to produce the leaching and neutralization reagents needed for the process on-site. In the chlor-alkali plant, sodium hydroxide is produced as a by-product. Pilot plant testing has generated a significant surplus of sodium hydroxide which may be sold as a by-product. The western United States is largely dependent on imports of sodium hydroxide for water treatment and other industrial uses. A market study, to be incorporated in the feasibility study, will reflect the potential for revenue from sodium hydroxide sales.
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*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
December 11, 2023 – Vancouver, Canada – Century Lithium Corp. (TSXV:LCE) (OTCQX: CYDVF) (Frankfurt: C1Z) (“Century Lithium” or “the Company”) is pleased to report progress and further developments at its Lithium Extraction Facility (“Pilot Plant”) in Amargosa Valley, Nevada.
Highlights
Further process improvements implemented at the Pilot Plant, resulting in lithium grades consistently exceeding 14 grams/liter in the intermediate solutions produced (up from 7.5 grams/liter reported in August 2023)
Pilot Plant tests ongoing completing 23 months of safe operation
Work with Koch Technology Solutions LLC (“KTS”) on direct lithium extraction (“DLE”) is ongoing; delivering repeatable results and exceeding expectations
KTS to complete commercial design of a DLE installation for the Project in January 2024
On August 9, 2023, the Company reported achieving an increase of lithium grades in the intermediate solutions produced at the Pilot Plant to the highest levels to date, with an average grade of 7.5 grams/liter lithium. This increase in concentration was attributed to the integration of Koch Technology Solutions Li-ProTM equipment into the DLE area. In mid-August, the Company added an osmotically assisted reverse osmosis (“OARO”) unit downstream of the DLE area. (Description of the process can be found at the Company’s technology partner Saltworks’ website: OARO—Saltworks Announces Osmotically Assisted RO Tech | Saltworks Technologies). With the OARO unit in operation at the Pilot Plant, Century has consistently achieved lithium grades exceeding 14 grams/liter in its intermediate solutions, accompanied by significantly reduced levels of impurities.
Century’s collaboration with KTS continued to produce exceptional results within the DLE area of the Pilot Plant. With nearly 3,000 operating cycles of the equipment completed since its installation in April 2023, results have exceeded target levels for both lithium extraction and rejection of impurities from leach solutions. With these positive results, the Company anticipates KTS completing its commercial design of a DLE installation for the Project in January 2024.
Century’s team continues to innovate and improve its process flowsheet for the Project through testing equipment, reagents, and alternate configurations of its flowsheet at the Pilot Plant. This work will continue into the coming year as the Pilot Plant generates data to support and further de-risk the Project and addresses recommendations identified during the Feasibility Study.
Qualified Person
Todd Fayram, MMSA-QP and Senior Vice President, Metallurgy of Century Lithium is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has approved the technical information in this release.
About Century Lithium Corp.
Century Lithium Corp. (formerly Cypress Development Corp.) is an advanced stage lithium company, focused on developing its 100%-owned Clayton Valley Lithium Project in west-central Nevada, USA. Century Lithium is currently in the pilot stage of testing on material from its lithium-bearing claystone deposit at its Lithium Extraction Facility in Amargosa Valley, Nevada and progressing towards completing a Feasibility Study and permitting, with the goal of becoming a domestic producer of lithium for the growing electric vehicle and battery storage market.
ON BEHALF OF CENTURY LITHIUM CORP. WILLIAM WILLOUGHBY, PhD., PE President & Chief Executive Officer
NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.
This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are identified by words such as “expects,” “estimates,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “scheduled,” and other similar words. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that management of the Company expects, are forward-looking statements. Although management believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, include market prices, exploration, and development successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Please see the public filings of the Company atwww.sedar.com for further information.
Calgary, Alberta. December 11, 2023 – LithiumBank Resources Corp. (TSX-V: LBNK) (OTCQX: LBNKF) (“LithiumBank” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that the G2L Greenview Resources Inc. (“G2L”) Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) pilot plant is now in transit to LithiumBank’s Calgary facility. Once completed, the facility will have capacity to process up to 10,000 L/d of brine and yield up to 3 kg/d LCE. Commencing in early 2024, several piloting campaigns are planned as the Boardwalk Project advances into its feasibility studies phase of development. The Company also anticipates that the facility will accelerate the development of the Company’s Park Place, Estevan, South, and Kindersley properties.
The pilot plant has been constructed in Australia by Clean TeQ Water on the behalf of G2L and is based on G2L’s Continuous Direct Lithium Extraction (cDLE®) technology. As seen in recent testwork results (Reported Nov. 22, 2023), the cDLE® process utilizes an ion exchange material (sorbent) designed to selectively extract lithium from the brine while rejecting most contaminants. In the context of the Boardwalk Project, the configuration of the pilot adsorption and elution stages has been purposefully designed to maximize extraction of lithium from the brine. Similarly, the selectivity of the sorbent and elution chemistry allows strong rejection of typical impurities in the brine such as sodium, calcium and chloride. This results in a clean, lithium-rich concentrate suitable for further refining.
At the facility in Calgary, the cDLE® process will demonstrate the cost and process advantages of using common industrial reagents such as quicklime and sulfuric acid. The operating cost benefits of this change in reagent suite will be quantified in an updated Boardwalk Project Preliminary Economic Assessment. Senior process engineers from G2L will head up the installation of the pilot and the first 100 hours of processing. G2L will continue to lend support throughout the entire piloting program which is intended to last up to 18 months following the first 100 hours of operation.
With a processing capacity of up to 10,000 L/d of brine, the Calgary facility will represent one of the largest DLE pilot plants in North America. The pilot plant represents an approximate 1:5,000 scale to the future, commercial production modules which is consistent with scale-up factors used in other hydrometallurgical processes. Within the pilot plant, sufficiently large ion exchange equipment has been installed to permit direct scale-up of these process steps to the commercial plant, accelerating the Boardwalk Project development.
During operation, the pilot plant will be targeting one of the industry’s highest lithium recoveries. This is seen as achievable for the Boardwalk project given the project’s careful staging of adsorption and elution contactors, along with the characteristics of the sorbent. Specifically, experiences from industrial ion exchange processes used for the recovery of precious (gold) and energy (uranium) metals have been leveraged in formulating the Boardwalk DLE flowsheet. This formulation included a trade-off assessment of lithium recovery and capital cost which was undertaken for the purposes of the upcoming updated PEA. As a result, the pilot plant will assess the performance of five contactor stages with results to follow in the PEA.
Figure 1: LithiumBank’s pilot plant as shown in G2L’s manufacturing facility in Melbourne, Australia, prior to shipment.
Furthermore, G2L’s experience in pilot testing of continuous ion exchange for recovery of other metals, including nickel and cobalt, at a similar scale in similar pilot equipment, provides confidence that recovery using counter-current adsorption contactors can be predicted from laboratory scale test work.
The cDLE® pilot plant in transit is a variation of a pilot plant that was designed and constructed by the Clean TeQ Water technical team to extract nickel and cobalt by ion exchange from acid leached lateritic ore in the Sunrise Energy Metals project. The plant was run over several campaigns and the data were subsequently used for a Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) on the production of battery-grade nickel and cobalt sulfates. The Boardwalk Project cDLE® plant uses the same basic configuration, with critical design changes incorporated to ensure maximum lithium extraction from the brine, and the production of a high purity eluate containing a high lithium concentration.
A video showing the cDLE® pilot plant prior to shipping to Calgary can be viewed below:
About LithiumBank Resources Corp.
LithiumBank Resources Corp. (TSX-V: LBNK) (OTCQX: LBNKF), is a publicly traded lithium company that is focused on developing its two flagship projects, Boardwalk and Park Place, in Western Canada. The Company holds 2,480,196 acres of brownfield & exploration lithium brine permits, across 3 districts in Alberta and Saskatchewan. In May 2023, LithiumBank completed an initial robust preliminary economic assessment of its Boardwalk project that targets a 31,350 TPA operation with a pre-tax USD $2.7B NPV and a 21.6% IRR with the potential for a number of near term enhancements. The Company will continue to de- risk its assets through detailed geological modelling and advanced engineering.
For more information see the Company’s Boardwalk Lithium Brine Project Preliminary Economic Assessment Technical report entitled “Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for LithiumBank Resources Boardwalk Lithium-Brine Project in West- Central Alberta, Canada” effectively dated June 16, 2023 filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) on June 23, 2023 and on the Company’s website (www.lithiumbank.ca).
Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no guarantee that all or any part of the mineral resource will be converted into a mineral reserve. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by geology, environment, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues. A preliminary economic assessment is preliminary in nature as it includes a portion of inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the preliminary economic assessment will be realized.
About G2L Greenview Resources Inc.
Go2Lithium Inc. was formed in early 2023 as a 50/50 joint venture with Computational Geosciences Inc (CGI), a subsidiary of the Robert Friedland-chaired Ivanhoe Electric Inc. (NYSE:IE) and Clean TeQ Water (ASX:CNQ). Please see Clean TeQ’s case studies for additional information on their suite of water treatment and metal extraction technologies.
The scientific and technical disclosure in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Kevin Piepgrass (Chief Operations Officer, LithiumBank Resources Corp.), who is a Member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) and the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of the Province of British Columbia (APEGBC) and is a Qualified Person (QP) for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Piepgrass consents to the inclusion of the data in the form and context in which it appears.
Contact: LithiumBank Rob Shewchuk CEO & Director rob@lithiumbank.ca (778) 987-9767
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This press release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding future estimates, plans, objectives, timing, assumptions or expectations of future performance, including without limitation, statements regarding the completion of the Offering and the timing thereof, and the anticipated use of proceeds of the Offering are forward-looking statements and contain forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “intends” or “anticipates”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “should” or “would” or occur. Forward-looking statements are based on certain material assumptions and analyses made by the Company and the opinions and estimates of management as of the date of this press release, including, but not limited to, that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, that the Company will receive all necessary regulatory approvals for the Offering, that the Company will use the proceeds of the Offering as currently anticipated; and assumptions relating to the state of the financial markets for the Company’s securities. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Important factors that may cause actual results to vary, include, without limitation, market volatility, unanticipated costs, changes in applicable regulations, and changes in the Company’s business plans. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Auxico Resources, a Canadian mining company, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to acquire an 85% equity interest in the past-producing El Benton niobium and tantalum mine located in Bolivia. This strategic acquisition provides Auxico with a rich source of critical minerals essential for emerging technologies.
Under the MOU, Auxico will make initial payments totaling $140,000 to the current owner of El Benton. Auxico will then hold majority 85% control of the mine as part of a joint venture arrangement.
The El Benton mine and adjacent Monte Verde concessions cover over 700 hectares in a proven mineral-rich region of Bolivia. Historic samples show valuable concentrations of niobium, tantalum, lithium, and rare earth elements.
By securing rights to El Benton, Auxico aims to restart production of niobium and tantalum concentrates. The company also plans to define the lithium potential and recover other critical minerals using advanced ultrasound extraction methods.
Gaining access to El Benton’s strategic mineral deposits boosts Auxico’s role as a major supplier of scarce metals needed for electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy infrastructure, electronics, and defense applications.
Owning the majority interest allows Auxico to implement efficient, sustainable extraction techniques at El Benton. This includes removing radioactive elements from concentrates using the Company’s proprietary ultrasound technology.
In summary, the deal gives Auxico substantial equity control of a mine rich in critical and rare earth minerals. Restarting efficient production can provide crucial supply to high-tech industries while generating profits.
An enormous lithium deposit estimated to hold up to 40 million metric tons has recently been discovered in the United States underneath an ancient supervolcano straddling the Nevada-Oregon border. This lithium trove, the largest known supply in the world, could provide major opportunities for lithium companies and boost renewable energy efforts as demand for lithium batteries is projected to skyrocket.
Lithium, an extremely light metallic element, is an essential component of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, grid storage, smartphones, laptops and other key technologies. With electric vehicle adoption accelerating globally and increasing need for batteries to store solar and wind energy, lithium is becoming integral to a clean energy future.
For lithium companies, this huge deposit represents a potentially massive new source of supply to power growth. Lithium exploration and mining companies will likely ramp up operations in the region to benefit from burgeoning demand. Those able to cost-effectively extract lithium from the volcanic crater could be poised to reap sizable revenues.
Access to substantial lithium resources located within the US rather than relying heavily on imports could also help enhance energy security as the country moves away from fossil fuels. Domestic supply could additionally stabilize lithium prices and support US-based jobs.
The lithium deposit was uncovered within Oregon’s McDermitt Caldera, the remnants of an ancient supervolcano that exploded around 16 million years ago. With lithium demand expected to expand fivefold or more by 2030, this huge supply could be a game-changer, diversifying and elevating global lithium sources to meet increasing battery requirements.
For lithium companies and renewable energy companies alike, this deposit represents a monumental opportunity. Responsible extraction will be key to unlocking the full potential of this transformative mineral discovery.
Take moment to look at companies Lithium Bank and Century Lithium who are focused on exploration, development, and production of lithium.
Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Pioneering innovation. Century Lithium has developed a proprietary system for lithium extraction that reflects innovations developed at its lithium extraction facility or pilot plant. Century Lithium received a provisional patent protecting the company’s system and methods for extracting lithium solids, including clay.
Extracting lithium from solids. The company’s patent pending system is based on the extraction of lithium from solids using products of a chlor-alkali process, including hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide. Exclusive of the direct lithium extraction (DLE) process where lithium is recovered, protected intellectual property includes the method of treating lithium-bearing solids with chloride solution and the handing of solutions, precipitates, and residues. DLE using Li-Pro is a component process proprietary to Koch Technology Solutions.
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This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
September 7, 2023 – Vancouver, Canada – Century Lithium Corp. (TSXV:LCE) (OTCQX: CYDVF) (Frankfurt: C1Z) (Century Lithium or the Company) is pleased to report it has obtained a provisional patent with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce. The provisional patent is titled System and Method for Extracting Lithium from Clay and Other Materials in a Chloride Solution Using Individualized Pretreatments. The patent pending process encompasses the Company’s flowsheet, as developed at its Lithium Extraction Facility (“Pilot Plant”) in Amargosa Valley, Nevada, USA and protects the Company’s intellectual property (IP) pertaining to the handling of solutions derived from the treatment of solid materials including clays from the Company’s Clayton Valley Lithium Project (Project) in Nevada.
“Through the excellent work of Century Lithium’s team, we have developed a system for lithium extraction which is proprietary to the Company” said Bill Willoughby, President, and CEO of Century Lithium. “Our system incorporates innovations made during our team’s work at the Pilot Plant. The provisional patent provides protection of our system and its IP as we move forward with our Feasibility Study.”
The Company’s patent pending system is based on the extraction of lithium from solids using both products of a chlor-alkali process; hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide. Under the provisional patent, the Company’s protected IP includes the method of treating lithium-bearing solids with chloride solution and the handling of solutions, precipitates, and residues, exclusive of a lithium recovery stage (Direct Lithium Extraction) a component process proprietary to Koch Technology Solutions.
Key steps of the provisional patent include:
Conditioning solids prior to leaching; this step uses recycled process solution and sodium hydroxide, a by-product of the process, which acts as a dispersant and chemical reactant with clay-sized particles
Leaching slurried pulp in a hydrochloric acid solution; this step includes capture of carbon dioxide which is used for the precipitation of calcium and magnesium later in the process
Method of treating the post-leach slurry to remove iron and aluminum in a manner that allows pressure filtration of the solids and minimizes the use of flocculants and counter-current decantation
Treatment of post-DLE spent solution to provide feed stock of sodium chloride solution to a chlor-alkali plant and recycle solution to the conditioning step
Qualified Person
Todd Fayram, MMSA-QP is the qualified persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and have approved the technical information in this release.
About Century Lithium Corp.
Century Lithium Corp. (formerly Cypress Development Corp.) is an advanced stage lithium company, focused on developing its 100%-owned Clayton Valley Lithium Project in west-central Nevada, USA. Century Lithium is currently in the pilot stage of testing on material from its lithium-bearing claystone deposit at its Lithium Extraction Facility in Amargosa Valley, Nevada and progressing towards completing a Feasibility Study and permitting, with the goal of becoming a domestic producer of lithium for the growing electric vehicle and battery storage market.
ON BEHALF OF CENTURY LITHIUM CORP. WILLIAM WILLOUGHBY, PhD., PE President & Chief Executive Officer
NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.
This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are identified by words such as “expects,” “estimates,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “scheduled,” and other similar words. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that management of the Company expects, are forward-looking statements. Although management believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, include market prices, exploration, and development successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Please see the public filings of the Company atwww.sedar.com for further information.
