Tag Archives: Lithium

Rio Tinto leveraging Fleet Space exploration tech at Rincon lithium project

Energy minerals, Mineral exploration, Mining services, , , ,

Fleet Space Technologies has announced an ongoing collaboration with Rio Tinto to advance exploration at its Rincon lithium project in Argentina.

Leveraging Fleet Space’s end-to-end exploration solution powered by space and AI, ExoSphere, Rio Tinto will develop 3D subsurface maps of the reservoir, basement depth, and brine influencing structures across 100 sq.km of the project’s salt flat and nearby subvolcanic structures.

“Rio Tinto and Fleet Space share a commitment to pioneering breakthrough technologies to make net-zero a reality,” Flavia Tata Nardini, Co-Founder & CEO of Fleet Space Technologies, says. “We are proud to deploy ExoSphere’s real-time multiphysics capabilities in support of Rio Tinto’s data-driven exploration for energy transition minerals. We look forward to bringing the latest innovations in spacetech, 3D multiphysics, and AI to unlock new insights, predictive capabilities, and sustainability benefits to advance the development of world-class operations globally.”

The Rincon lithium project represents a significant potential source of battery-grade lithium carbonate necessary for the global energy transition. Rio Tinto’s deployment of Exosphere at scale across the project reflects its commitment to using innovative technologies to enhance exploration, decarbonise value chains and develop the Rincon lithium project to the highest ESG standards, Fleet Space says.

ExoSphere’s end-to-end capabilities enable real-time 3D Ambient Noise Tomography (ANT) data acquisition and processing by Fleet Space’s satellite network to deliver actionable 3D subsurface insights in days with near-zero environmental impact.

The end-to-end architecture pioneered by Fleet Space’s mineral exploration solution, ExoSphere, integrates the latest advances in space technology, 3D multiphysics and AI to map mineral systems in real-time. Edge computing in ExoSphere’s smart seismic sensors enable real-time transmission and processing of high-quality 3D data by Fleet Space’s satellite network, delivering actionable 3D subsurface insights up to 5 km in depth and targeting recommendations to customers around the world.

By streamlining data acquisition, processing, integration and delivery of AI-enabled 3D insights into a single end-to-end solution, ExoSphere simplifies data operations, enhances the quality and speed of decision making and helps to minimise environmental footprint across the lifecycle of a project, the company says.

Cornish Lithium opens UK’s first low-emission, lithium hydroxide demo plant

Energy minerals, Environmental, Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Mining services, Sustainable mining, , , ,

Cornish Lithium has opened the UK’s first low-emission, lithium hydroxide Demonstration Plant, marking, it says, a significant milestone in the UK’s transition to clean power by 2030.

The new facility forms part of Cornish Lithium’s Trelavour Hard Rock project in Cornwall, which will reduce the UK’s reliance on carbon-intensive, imported lithium by extracting supplies of this critical mineral domestically in a sustainable manner. From 2027, the project targets production of 10,000 t/y of battery-grade lithium hydroxide. When combined with Cornish Lithium’s geothermal lithium projects, this creates a 2030 planned total of 25,000 t/y of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), meaning that Cornish Lithium alone expects to provide around 25% of all of the lithium needed by UK industry.

This demonstrates the industrial scale of the UK’s lithium potential and reinforces the sector’s call to government to set a domestic national extraction target of 50,000 t/y by 2030.

Trelavour has been designated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project by the UK Government. This is in recognition of the scale of the project and the economic and growth impact it will have on businesses nationwide through the domestic extraction, processing and use of lithium. In Cornwall specifically, it is forecast that Cornish Lithium will contribute a GVA of at least £800 million ($1.04 billion) to the local economy and create over 300 Cornwall-based jobs from 2027 over the life of the project.

The Demonstration Plant takes lithium-enriched granite, mined from a former china clay pit revitalised by Cornish Lithium, and processes it to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide using the Lepidico processing technology. Cornish Lithium has the exclusive right in the St Austell region to use the technology, which is expected to reduce carbon emissions by at least 40% compared to hard rock lithium mining elsewhere in the world.

The new Demonstration Plant has been funded as part of an investment package from a group of leading institutional investors led by the former UK Infrastructure Bank which has now become the National Wealth Fund, alongside The Energy & Minerals Group and TechMet. The hydrometallurgical section of the Demonstration Plant has also been partially funded via a grant from the UK Government via the Automotive Transformation Fund’s Scale up Readiness Validation program.

Jeremy Wrathall, CEO, Interim Chairman and Founder of Cornish Lithium, said: “Lithium is critically important to the manufacturing of electric vehicles, grid scale electricity storage and rechargeable industrial and consumer electronics. By 2030, it is expected that the UK will need circa-110,000 t of lithium carbonate equivalent.

“The UK currently imports 100% of the lithium it uses, yet we’re home to the largest lithium resource in Europe with enough beneath our feet in Cornwall to supply over half of what the electric vehicle industry needs. This is a huge untapped advantage that is currently being wasted, when it could be making our industries more competitive and resilient to global supply chain volatility. At Cornish Lithium, we want to turn that around to provide a stable supply of critical minerals needed for the UK’s new battery industry to kickstart economic growth and make Britain a clean energy superpower.

“The opening of the Demonstration Plant is a landmark moment for Cornish Lithium as this means we can now confirm at a semi-industrial scale the viability of extracting lithium from the mica mineralisation found in Cornwall. Located less than one kilometre from the mine site, we will be able to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide on a single, integrated site, without the need for further carbon-intensive shipping or refining.”

Cornish Lithium’s Trelavour Hard Rock project is just one element of Cornwall’s critical minerals potential. The company is also pioneering the extraction of lithium from geothermal waters that run deep beneath the county’s surface, with the potential by-product of carbon-free heat energy. Cornish Lithium believes that this is a low-impact, highly innovative opportunity that potentially extends across the whole of Cornwall. The company has therefore secured extensive mineral rights agreements across Cornwall in order to maximise this opportunity and develop a major new industry based on the extraction of lithium and geothermal heat energy.

“Domestic lithium extraction is an industrial-scale asset to the UK and our launch of Britain’s first lithium hydroxide Demonstration Plant near St Austell demonstrates that this environmentally responsible modern industry is moving forward,” Jeremy Wrathall concludes.

Macmahon’s Decmil to upgrade logistics links for Mount Holland lithium project

Energy minerals, Mine operation news, Mineral project development, Mining services, , , , ,

Macmahon Holdings Limited subsidiary, Decmil, has been awarded a A$123 million ($83 million) road upgrade contract by Covalent Lithium Pty Ltd on the Mount Holland lithium project in Western Australia.

The scope of works includes upgrading the logistics link between the Great Eastern Highway and Covalent’s Mount Holland site, with approximately 113 km of road upgrades to take place.

Decmil commenced work on the project in August 2023 following receipt of a Limited Notice of Award in July 2023. Approximately A$59 million of works had already been completed during the 2024 financial year. Work under the full contract award is expected to directly create 220 jobs at its peak and be completed by April 2025.

The remaining value of the project works adds a further A$64 million in revenue to Macmahon’s secured order book supporting the 2025 financial year revenue guidance range of A$2.4-2.5 billion.

Macmahon’s CEO and Managing Directo, Michael Finnegan, said: “Decmil is off to a strong start in converting our A$11.6 billion tender pipeline having now secured approximately A$240 million of new work since Macmahon acquired the business in August 2024.

“The contract award at the Mount Holland Lithium project is the team’s second major road upgrade project since joining Macmahon, demonstrating Decmil’s strong credentials in this area, and I look forward to the successful delivery of the project for Covalent.”

Covalent has developed and is now operating the Mount Holland project, which, it says, is a unique, fully integrated producer of battery-quality lithium hydroxide in Western Australia. The company says it is targeting 75% recovery of spodumene in its concentrator and expects to produce more than 380,000 t/y of spodumene concentrate.

SLB showcases sustainable lithium production at Clayton Valley demo plant

Energy minerals, Environmental, Sustainable mining, , ,

SLB says it has proven its solution for sustainable lithium production at scale at its demonstration plant in Clayton Valley, Nevada, to accelerate responsibly-sourced lithium products to market.

The proprietary integrated solution combines SLB’s subsurface expertise with surface engineering of advanced technologies that include direct lithium extraction (DLE). It produces lithium 500 times faster than conventional methods while using only 10% of the land, according to the company. Operating at approximately one tenth the size of a commercial-scale facility, the plant reached a verified recovery rate1 of 96% lithium from brine.

SLB’s integrated solution is a complete, end-to-end process that includes advanced impurity treatment and concentration technologies to produce high-purity lithium carbonate or hydroxide. The solution also uses significantly less water, energy and fewer chemical reagents in comparison to other DLE-based offerings.

“Lithium is a key enabler of electrification, so we must find ways to accelerate its production without adversely affecting the environment,” Gavin Rennick, president of SLB’s New Energy business, said. “SLB’s demonstration plant in Clayton Valley proves our unique integrated approach to produce scalable quantities of lithium in the fastest, most economical and sustainable way for today’s market. This accelerates deployment of viable commercial-scale facilities for high-quality lithium products that are the backbone of our electrification economy.”

The conventional alternative for producing lithium from brine at scale is evaporation. This process not only requires a significant amount of land but also results in massive water loss. Salt, underground minerals and used chemicals are then left at the surface, creating impact on biodiversity and the environment. SLB’s sustainable lithium production solution enhances sustainability by reducing water use. The proprietary process also returns the spent brine, or the brine with a reduced lithium concentration, back to its source after the lithium is processed and separated.

The entire SLB solution, from extracting lithium from brine to converting it to technical-grade lithium carbonate, takes just hours. By comparison, evaporation methods can take up to 18 months and have a much lower recovery rate of 50% or less, SLB says.

In proving this solution at its pilot plant, SLB completed specific technical milestones allowing it to fully qualify under the earn-in agreement with Pure Energy Minerals Ltd. and, at its option, may acquire 100% ownership interest in the Clayton Valley Project.

Epiroc to supply SmartROC D65 drill rigs, spare parts to Pilbara Minerals’ Pilgangoora

Energy minerals, Mine operation news, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , ,

Epiroc says it has won a large order for surface mining equipment from Pilbara Minerals that will be used at its Pilgangoora operation in Western Australia.

The world’s largest, independent hard-rock lithium producer, Pilbara Minerals has ordered a fleet of 14 Epiroc SmartROC D65 surface drill rigs for use at the site.

The equipment order was booked in the September quarter 2024, with the company set to provide not only the rigs but also spare parts. The fleet will be delivered from September 2024 through early 2025.

“Lithium plays an increasingly important role as the world keeps transitioning to electrification to reduce emissions, including producing more hybrid and electric vehicles,” Helena Hedblom, Epiroc’s President and CEO, says. “We are happy to support Pilbara Minerals to optimise its operation.”

Epiroc’s SmartROC D65 drill rig is built tough and is loaded with intelligent features that improve safety and productivity, the OEM says.

Pilbara Minerals has been progressing its lithium asset through the Pilgangoora P680 Expansion project. This could see the company step-up its production run-rate at the operation to a total of circa-680,000 t/y of spodumene concentrate across the combined Pilgangoora operation.

Greenbushes hard-rock lithium mine to undergo Australia-first IRMA scrutiny

Energy minerals, Environmental, Mine operation news, Mining industry recognition, Sustainable mining, , , , ,

Talison Lithium Pty Ltd has announced that its Greenbushes lithium operation will be the first mine in Australia to undergo a third-party independent assessment against the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) Standard for Responsible Mining.

The decision to volunteer Greenbushes for IRMA audit reflects Talison’s commitment to responsible mining practices and transparency, the company says.

Located 250 km south of Perth in Western Australia, the Greenbushes lithium operation has been a leader in the Australian hard-rock lithium sector for over 40 years. Renowned globally for its high-quality ore reserves, it is a key supplier of lithium.

The IRMA assessment will be conducted by SCS Global Services, an IRMA-approved independent audit firm, and will include a comprehensive two-stage process: a desktop review (Stage 1) followed by an on-site audit (Stage 2).

Ian McGuire, Interim Managing Director, Talison, said: “We care about a better future – and we know our stakeholders do as well. Whether it be employees, the community, or customers, we want them to know we are committed to responsible mining and production practices.

“To achieve this, we need to provide those affected by our mine with the information they need to engage in meaningful dialogue about where Talison is achieving best practice, and where there is more work to be done. That’s why we’re conducting an IRMA audit.”

IRMA Executive Director, Aimee Boulanger, added: “By volunteering Greenbushes for independent audit against the world’s most rigorous global mining standard, Talison is providing unprecedented transparency into the operations of an Australian mine. They are effectively putting themselves under a microscope and welcoming affected stakeholders to examine their mine and help them make their mine more responsible”.

IRMA is (1) a voluntary mining standard describing best practices to protect people and the environment; (2) an assurance process to measure mines against that standard; and (3) an organisation equally governed by representatives of six affected stakeholder sectors – communities, organised labour, NGOs, finance, purchasers and mining companies – that controls the standard and the assurance process.

Talison, a wholly owned subsidiary of Windfield Holdings Pty Ltd – privately held by Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia, a joint venture between Tianqi Lithium Corporation and IGO Limited (holding 51%, and Albemarle Corporation holding 49% – operates the Greenbushes lithium operation.

MinRes awards Indigenous-owned Coolingah with Wodgina worker transport contract

Energy minerals, Mining services, Sustainable mining, , , , , , ,

Mineral Resources (MinRes) has awarded a five-year contract to 100% Indigenous-owned business Coolingah for the dry hire of three coaches to service MinRes’ Wodgina lithium mine in the Pilbara of Western Australia.

A fleet of 57-seat coaches arrived at Wodgina during the recent NAIDOC Week and will be used to transfer MinRes’ workforce across the mine site.

Coolingah is owned and operated by Kariyarra Elder, Patricia Mason, who expressed immense pride in securing the contract, highlighting its significance in helping shape her and her family’s future.

“Thank you to MinRes for believing in me and my family, and for your support making this contract possible,” Mason said. “MinRes sees value in supporting Indigenous businesses and helping them grow and reach their potential. This contract helps open the door to future opportunities.

“I set up Coolingah to provide something to pass onto my children and grandchildren – this business is their future.”

MinRes General Manager Communities and Heritage, Heath Nelson, said the partnership underscored the company’s commitment to fostering strong relationships with Indigenous businesses and supporting their growth and development.

“We are proud of the close partnerships MinRes has formed with a range of Indigenous businesses, including Coolingah, which is owned and operated by a Traditional Owner on lands where we operate,” Heath said.

“Last financial year, MinRes significantly increased our Indigenous business spend compared to the year prior and we are committed to continuing to increase our spend by identifying Indigenous businesses to work with and support in achieving their goals.

“By collaborating with Indigenous businesses, we not only support their economic growth but also contribute to the social and cultural wellbeing of the communities.”

Coolingah has also accessed MinRes’ guaranteed finance facility, which provides additional financial support to Indigenous businesses, allowing the company to secure capital to purchase the coaches and ensure they meet operational demands at the Wodgina mine site.

“The corporate finance guarantee demonstrates MinRes’ commitment to empowering Indigenous businesses and fostering their growth and sustainability,” Nelson added.

The Wodgina mine site, 120 km south of Port Hedland in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, is one of the largest hard-rock lithium mines in the world.

Northern Lithium and Evove agree on in-field DLE demo plant for UK project

Energy minerals, Mineral project development, Mining services, Sustainable mining, , , , , ,

At the 16th Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Conference in Las Vegas, USA, Northern Lithium Ltd and Evove Ltd announced the signing of a contract to install and trial an in-field direct lithium extraction (DLE) demonstration plant in the UK during the autumn of 2024.

The commercial agreement follows Evove’s extensive DLE processing at industrial-scale of saline brines extracted from Northern Lithium’s Northern Pennine Orefield, in August 2023, and the announcement of a tripartite partnership between Evove, Northern Lithium and engineering firm RSE in December 2023.

The initial module of a DLE demonstration plant is due to be commissioned at Northern Lithium’s first production site in County Durham during the autumn of 2024, with successive modular expansion of the plant thereafter to reach first full-scale commercial production of battery-grade lithium from 2027.

“This milestone agreement is the logical conclusion of intense preparation and successful piloting of Evove’s DLE technology on our lithium-rich brines,” Nick Pople, Northern Lithium Managing Director, said. “Our goal is to achieve first commercial production from 2027 and scale up from there to 10,000-plus tonnes of battery-grade lithium delivered per year from several production areas across the Northern Pennine Orefield within the next decade.”

Chris Wyres, Evove CEO, said: “The DLE plant is engineered in modules to allow scalable expansion. With in-built versatility, Northern Lithium has a variety of options for the production capacity and final lithium product created. It will demonstrate exemplary efficiency with some of the world’s most advanced technology for lithium extraction.”

Albemarle maps out project plan for Kings Mountain hard-rock lithium mine

Energy minerals, Mineral project development, Sustainable mining, , , , ,

Albemarle Corporation has introduced its project plan for the Kings Mountain Mine, one of the few known hard-rock lithium deposits in the US.

The plan includes the proposed site footprint, primary physical features and details of the mining processes. Pending permitting approval and a final investment decision, the mine is anticipated to produce approximately 420,000 tons (381,018 t) of lithium-bearing spodumene concentrate annually.

After permit approvals are secured, Albemarle expects to use open-pit mining to deepen and expand the current mine pit to the southwest. The existing rock and soil will be drilled, blasted and loaded into trucks and hauled to various destinations at the mine site. Rock that does not contain lithium-bearing spodumene ore will be separated and stored at on-site rock storage facilities or repurposed for other uses. A portion of the rock that can be used for construction aggregate production is expected to be transported to the adjacent Martin Marietta quarry.

Ore will be hauled by truck to the run-of-mine (ROM) pad used to feed the on-site mineral processing facility at an average rate of circa-3.1 million tons per year (circa-8,900 tons per day). Albemarle intends to subsequently transport the spodumene concentrate by truck and/or rail to an off-site conversion plant at the rate of approximately 420,000 tons per year.

“The Kings Mountain Mine is a world-class resource that can provide an essential element to power our future,” Albemarle Energy Storage President, Eric Norris, said. “We are pleased to share our plan with the community as we continue to seek their engagement to redevelop this rich, domestic resource in a safe and responsible manner.”

The proposed project plan, shared this week at a community open house and available online, includes several environmentally and socially responsible mining features and practices:

  • Reduced land disturbance: The plan includes the use of the former Kings Mountain Mine to support mining operations and the use of a former mica mine for tailings storage—both designed to minimize the amount of land disturbance necessary.;
  • Sustainable materials management: Non-ore-bearing material from mining operations is planned to be transferred to the adjacent Martin Marietta Kings Mountain Quarry for processing and sale as construction aggregate. The arrangement is intended to contribute to a more sustainable management of resources and a portion of the sales are planned to be used to support Kings Mountain and the surrounding communities. In addition, Albemarle is currently testing secondary markets for processed ore tailings, which may have applications in ceramics or construction materials industries;
  • High standards and accountability: Planning for environmental protection measures and community engagement has been conducted to align with the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance’s (IRMA) Standard for Responsible Mining, a comprehensive set of requirements designed to reduce adverse environmental and social impacts and create benefits for local communities. Once operational, the mine would undergo a full third-party verification assessment conducted by an IRMA-approved certification body; and
  • Sustainable water management: The mine is designed to operate with collected precipitation to support its operations, relying on external sources only for drinking water, fire protection and sanitary purposes.

In September 2023, Albemarle Corporation signed agreements with Caterpillar Inc to collaborate on solutions to support the full circular battery value chain and sustainable mining operations. This aimed to support Albemarle’s efforts to establish Kings Mountain, North Carolina as the first-ever zero-emissions lithium mine site in North America, with the efforts including use of next-generation, battery-powered mining equipment.

In 2023, Albemarle was awarded a $90 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to help support the purchase of a fleet of mining equipment as part of the mine’s redevelopment. In 2022, Albemarle was also awarded a $150 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy as part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand domestic manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles.

Along with the project plan, Albemarle also commenced the public participation portion of a voluntary Environmental and Social Impact Assessment. As a key element of IRMA’s Standard for Responsible Mining, the assessment seeks to better understand and manage potential impacts from the proposed mine with consideration to the surrounding environment, local economy and the community’s health and safety. Albemarle plans to use the outcomes of the assessment to develop environmental and social management plans to minimise adverse impacts and enhance benefits.

Metso’s sulphate-free alkaline pressure leach process wins Planet Positive accolade

Base metals, Energy minerals, Environmental, Mineral processing, Mining services, Sustainable mining, , , , , ,

Metso is expanding its sustainable offering for the lithium market, having validated its proprietary, sulphate-free alkaline pressure leach process as a Planet Positive technology for the production of battery-grade lithium.

Metso’s hydrometallurgical alkaline leach process is a simple and safe way to refine spodumene concentrate to battery-grade end products like lithium hydroxide monohydrate and lithium carbonate, the company says. The innovative refining process produces high-purity lithium salts and hydrates, which are needed for the cathodes of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles.

In the process, lithium is extracted with high yield. Inert and neutral mineral residue is minimised and ready to be reused or disposed of, thus minimising pollution to air, water and soil. No additional impurity removal or precipitation stages are needed. In recent studies, the alkaline leach process has also shown reduced environmental impact compared with other technologies, Metso says. Based on the Life Cycle Impact Assessment, the process can provide an up to 40-60% reduction in water consumption, as well a reduction in the acidification and eutrophication impact. The compact process also minimises plant footprint and embedded carbon, according to Metso.

Metso has been developing sustainable alkaline leaching technologies for hard-rock lithium sources for 20 years already. Today the offering includes proprietary technologies for refining lithium from spodumene mineral concentrates. Intensive R&D and piloting is also ongoing in the processing of other lithium-bearing pegmatite hard rocks such as petalite, zinnwaldite (with Zinnwald Lithium plc) and lepidolite. Metso says it also has proven processes also for the extraction of lithium from brines.

Alongside this, Metso is providing its Planet Positive sustainable soda pressure leaching technology for Keliber’s lithium hydroxide refinery, which will be built in Kokkola, Finland.

Marika Tiihonen, Technology Manager for Lithium at Metso, said: “The urgent need to implement solutions and technologies limiting global warming is driving the development of lithium-ion batteries that are used, for example, in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage ecosystems. This, and the regionalisation of critical minerals sourcing, has resulted in a surge in lithium projects. Currently, Metso is supporting several battery minerals projects that are in study, piloting, engineering or delivery phases.”

Tiihonen added: “As a strong and reliable partner for the development of lithium hydroxide and other battery minerals projects, Metso can deliver the whole production process – from mine to battery materials, and recycling of black mass – complemented with world-class service support.”