SLI Sept PFS Tech Report:
"In support of project definition, the LSS has also been tested specifically for the SWA Project using a synthetic brine based on the major constituents identified as part of the resource evaluation and well sampling program identified in Section 9 and as discussed further in Section 13.3.4. As detailed elsewhere in this section, it is understood that ‘real brines’ exhibit different behavior from synthetic brines and therefore further
project specific testing is recommended"
Section 13.10:
"Whilst the LSS has been tested for synthetic brines, similar to the SWA feed brine, it is understood that ‘real brines’ exhibit different behavior, therefore project specific testing is recommended. Large volume brine samples have already been collected from the South West Arkansas brine leases during the recent drilling campaign and it is planned to test these directly in the LSS process in support of the Feasibility Study phase of the project; and,...."
( LSS is the Koch process they recently chose. This tech report is not based on wellhead, "real" brine)
Figure 17.1 for LHM:
*soda ash, lime & boron
"After the LSS DLE process, the eluate or raw lithium chloride solution will contain approximately 620 mg/L of lithium "
*Soda ash --- 23k tons yrly.
*Lime --- 418 tons yrly.
( E3 is 900 mg/l &
Peter Ehern LHM process does not use soda ash or lime)
21.3 Exclusions:
In order to limit unreasonable distortions to the base case Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model, this estimate does not include allowances for escalation of equipment, materials, and labor costs. Similarly, no allowances have been made for product or reagent price inflation and revenue escalation.
In addition, the following are excluded from the current CAPEX and OPEX estimates during the PFS phase but should be considered during more detailed future phases.
• Feasibility study fees
• Sunk and legal costs
• Interest and financing costs
_________
Well, guess that's one way to "account" for inflation....
US & Arkansas taxes 30%:
2028 - 2047
$175 million yearly
Section 25.2:
"For further effective optimization and applicability for the DFS, the LSS DLE process needs to be run on actual SWA brine for a long-term, continuous test."
* The project as it is currently envisaged does not trigger a NEPA process, however the NEPA process would be triggered if federal funds are obtained for the project."
aka:
no IRA or DPA $$ for SLI.
Or accept xtra 18-24 months of permitting.
So they threw out 3 yrs of in-house DLE, for Koch's LSS.
This PFS report chose the LSS system, that has only been testing on laboratory synthetic brine & with samples taken from multiple drill wells.
Other than only 1.5 mt's for LHM production, they're technically so far behind E3, "2027" is laughable.
.