JV partner Lithium Australia join forces with$600m giant PLSThe PLS announcement is great news for Alix. Their results will add to the market credibility of the SiLeach process. Commercial production with the process that will substantially change the market's view of Alix's value.
ASX ANNOUNCEMENT
Lithium Australia and Pilbara Minerals to jointly progress Sileach™ technology for potential future production of low-cost lithium carbonate in WA
HIGHLIGHTS
Lithium Australia and Pilbara Minerals agree to work together to investigate the suitability of LIT’s SileachTM process to produce high-value lithium carbonate
Subject to the success of pilot testing of concentrates sourced from Pilbara’s Pilgangoora Project, the parties have agreed to establish the Sileach Joint Venture (SJV)
Initial participation in the SJV will be 50/50
SJV pilot testing of Pilgangoora and other concentrates to commence in the near future
SJV’s goal is to be a lowest quartile lithium carbonate producer
"Quantum shift in the litium industry" Managing director, Mr Adrian Griffin:
“The agreement with Pilbara Minerals is a very important step towards Lithium Australia’s goal of becoming a lowest cost quartile lithium carbonate producer. Successfully combining PLS’ Pilgangoora spodumene concentrates with the low-energy Sileach™ process has the potential to add enormous value to both parties and may allow the SJV to deal directly with the lithium chemical consumers, including the battery manufacturers . This is a great deal for LIT, PLS and for Western Australia’s burgeoning lithium processing industry.”
Lithium’s path to commercialisation
The Sileach™ process has been successfully tested in the course of bench testing at a number of laboratories.
Most recently testing of concentrates from Pilgangoora, and other spodumene sources, have provided sufficient knowledge to consider pilot testing at the ANSTO Minerals facility in New South Wales.
Testing will start shortly and is the second step in the SJV’s attempt to de-risk the path to commercial production.
Lithium Australia has a clear path to commercial production
Should testing at ANSTO Minerals be successful, the SJV may then decide to start construction of a larger-scale pilot plant, with the ability to recover costs through the production of commercial lithium chemicals and by-products.
Operation of the larger-scale pilot facility will be a milestone step in commercialisation of the Sileach™ process, and will be used do demonstrate the viability of the process for funding purposes.