VLT's DLE Tech Potential + Goldman Sachs Insights on DLE As outlined in the Goldman Sachs report linked below, the adoption of Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technologies holds the potential to substantially enhance lithium supply from brine projects, much akin to how shale technology transformed the landscape of oil production.
In contrast to exacerbating the rising lithium cost curve, DLE has the potential to expand it. The article also contends that the capital intensity of DLE projects could be on par with conventional pond-based projects, mitigating higher initial expenses with reduced operational outlays.
Source: https://www.goldmansachs.com/intelligence/pages/gs-research/direct-lithium-extraction/report.pdf
Volt Lithium Corp. (Trading as VLT.v or VLTLF for US shareholders) is making big advancements in the realm of DLE technology. The company's primary focus revolves around extracting lithium from oilfield brines at its Rainbow Lake Project using this tech. Encompassing an expansive area spanning 430,000 acres, this property boasts a substantial lithium reservoir estimated at 4.3 million tons.
VLT employs a proprietary extraction process for deriving lithium from oilfield brine, which involves two pivotal phases: brine treatment and the groundbreaking IES-300 Direct Lithium Extraction Technology. This approach eliminates an impressive 99% of impurities from lithium-enriched oilfield brine while efficiently recovering as much as 93% of the lithium content.
VLT has progressed from laboratory experimentation of this tech to pilot-scale activities. Through this endeavor, VLT has successfully extracted lithium from low-concentration brines in a simulated commercial setting. Their pilot production initiative yielded an impressive 90% recovery rate of lithium from brines containing as little as 34 milligrams per liter. The projected operating costs, standing below CAD$4,000 per tonne at 120 mg/L, are poised to drive robust economic outcomes.
More on VLT's successful pilot production program here: https://voltlithium.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Volt-Lithium-Corp.-Announces-Pilot-Project-Results.pdf Posted on behalf of Volt Lithium Corp.