Arizona Lithium Limited (ASX: AZL, AZLO, AZLOA, OTC: AZLAF), a leader in sustainable lithium development, is thrilled to announce a significant milestone achieved by its Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) pilot plant at the Prairie Project in Saskatchewan, Canada. Demonstrating remarkable efficiency and innovation, the pilot plant has successfully processed over 200,000 litres of brine, yielding more than 13,500 litres of high-purity lithium concentrate, equivalent to approximately 80 kilograms of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE).
This achievement marks a pivotal moment in the pilot plant's final phase of operation, showcasing exceptional performance and consistency over the past three months. The high-quality results obtained are instrumental in advancing the design and engineering of the commercial-scale DLE facility, setting a new standard for the lithium extraction industry.
The processed lithium concentrate has been transported to Arizona Lithium’s Lithium Research Centre (LRC) in Tempe, Arizona, for further refinement. Utilizing the innovative Counter Flow Reverse Osmosis (CFRO) technology, the LRC is poised to commence its pilot operations in Q2 2024. This next phase will transform the concentrate into high-purity, commercial-grade lithium products, ready for strategic off-takes and contributing significantly to the global lithium supply chain.
Arizona Lithium is committed to the sustainable development of its two major lithium projects in North America: the Big Sandy Lithium Project and the Prairie Lithium Project. The success of the Prairie Project's pilot plant not only underscores the company's dedication to innovation and environmental stewardship but also reinforces its position as a frontrunner in the lithium extraction sector.
Upon completion of the pilot, Arizona Lithium will compile and release a comprehensive report detailing the outcomes and insights gained, further contributing to the industry's knowledge base and best practices.
Arizona Lithium Managing Director, Paul Lloyd, commented: “Having recently again visited the Pilot Plant at our Prairie Project in Saskatchewan, I am very impressed with the operational consistency, and exceptional results delivered over the past 3 months. Seeing the pilot plant process brine from our well and produce a high quality lithium concentrate 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week, has the whole team very excited for commercialisation. We are in our final phase of the pilot and look forward to releasing an extensive report on the results.”
About us:
AZL’s Prairie Lithium Project is located in the Williston Basin of Saskatchewan, Canada, and holds a resource of 6.3 MT of LCE, comprised of 4.5 MT LCE Indicated and 1.8 MT LCE Inferred1. Located in one of the world’s top mining friendly jurisdictions, the projects have easy access to key infrastructure including electricity, natural gas, fresh water, paved highways and railroads. The projects also aim to have strong environmental credentials, with Arizona Lithium targeting to use less use freshwater, land and waste, aligning with the Company’s sustainable approach to lithium development.
As announced on 12 December 2023, the Company is fast tracking towards the commercialisation of the Prairie Project, with the pilot plant delivering 95.6% lithium recoveries with 99.9% rejection of impurities.
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