Lithium explorer and developer Lake Resources NL (ASX: LKE) is planning to accelerate the dispatch of lithium samples to potential project partners and off-takers amid growing interest in its Kachi Lithium Brine Project in Argentina.
Lake’s Managing Director Steve Promnitz said approximately 20,000 litres of lithium brine is being dispatched from the Kachi Project to the pilot plant being built in California by Lilac Solutions, based on its potentially industry-disrupting direct extraction ion exchange process.
Designed by Silicon Valley-backed Lilac Solutions and international engineering company Hatch, the pilot plant aims to produce a high quality, low impurity product at low cost that is expected to attract premium pricing.
Mr Promnitz said Lake is targeting pre-production in the first quarter 2020 from the pilot plant, with the first module completed.
Meanwhile, a pre-feasibility study is nearing completion for Kachi, which ranks amongst the top 10 global lithium brine resources with a maiden resource estimate of 4.4 million tonnes lithium carbonate equivalent.
We are pleased that the plant is producing samples and are keen to dispatch these to potential off-takers as quickly as possible to enable their evaluation of the effectiveness of the Lilac technology,” Mr Promnitz said.
“We plan to produce the samples in California first to ensure the first modules are operating effectively prior to moving them to site. Lake is confident the Lilac process can deliver consistently high quality, low impurity products that suit the downstream market, with a quick, efficient and scalable extraction method that is also environmentally sustainable.
“Next year is set to mark a number of new milestones for Lake as we advance our key projects. With a strengthened Board and support from investors, we are confident of delivering increased value for shareholders in an environment where delivering quality lithium products will be crucial to success.”