Getting lithium from brine is not a new concept. This idea has been proposed since the discovery of oilfields near Valleyview in Alberta which have such a high wastewater to oil ratio that treatment can run up to
half of the cost of a barrel of oil.
However, much like any other technology such as driverless vehicles, artificial intelligence or reusable rockets, the challenge is in the execution, not in deriving the idea. It may not be as exciting as robots cleaning your house or a cheaper way to explore space, but a viable wastewater treatment solution could greatly improve the environmental footprint and economics for thousands of oil projects simultaneously solving the supply deficit of lithium that is plaguing the electric vehicle industry and other clean energy initiatives.
MGX Minerals (CSE: XMG / FKT: 1MG / OTCQB: MGXMF), is in partnership with its subsidiary PurLucid Treatment Solutions. The coined term “petrolithium” - through its extraction technology is intended to rapidly separate lithium carbonate among other valuable minerals from brine.
Kal at the PurLucid site
???????Recently in June, the company showcased its NFLi-5 commercial-scale rapid lithium extraction system at PurLucid’s laboratories in Calgary. There were approximately 20 people in attendance at the demonstration including some investors. At this time, Dr. Preston McEachern explained and demonstrated the unit and answered questions. According to the report,
Lithium Recovery from Oilfield Produced Water Brine & Wastewater Treatment, Dr. McEachern started Purlucid to bring new technologies to the problems of water treatment and solids control. Prior to Purlucid, he was the VP of Research and Development for Tervita and the head of Science Research and Innovation for oil sands in Alberta Environment. Dr. McEachern received his PhD from the University of Alberta modeling industrial impacts on northern hydrology and water quality. Dr. McEachern is active in research with an appointment to the Biorefining Research Institute and adjunct professor appointments at the University of Alberta in Civil and Environmental Engineering where he supervises graduate students in water quality and water treatment, and at Lakehead supervising students in forest hydrology and chemical mass transport. He is a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) with the Institute of Professional Environmental Practice (IPEP) which is CESB certified.
Dr. McEachern explaining the process
CTV News reported on the demonstration. The two minute report that quotes Dr. McEachern can be seen at this link.
A bit more about the process: the key word here is rapid. According to a press release: the MGX-PurLucid process “does not require the construction of large, multi-phase, lake sized, lined evaporation ponds, greatly reducing the physical footprint and enhancing the quality of extraction and recovery across a complex range of brines previously considered unprocessable due to complexity or geographical location outside of solar evaporation appropriate zones. This includes oil and gas wastewater, natural brine, and other brine sources such as lithium-rich mine and industrial plant wastewater”.
(Read news release here).
The NFLi-5 unit has a simplistic design that values function over form. While it doesn’t look particularly impressive, it’s a smart idea to make these units as basic as possible. If the company is going to manufacture them in the future, they need to be done at a manageable cost. Manufacturing scale is not the first challenge that the company will face. While the demonstration was generally deemed to be a success, investor's including myself would like to see these units in the field to help with the proof of concept.
Happy Investing!
Dr. Kal Kotecha
TO JOIN OUR FREE NEWSLETTER PLEASE VISIT: JUNIORGOLDREPORT.COM
Disclaimer
© 2010 Junior Gold Report and TechMoney360
Junior Gold Report and TechMoney360 Newsletter: Junior Gold Report’s and Tech Money 360’s Newsletter is published as a copyright publication of Junior Gold Report (JGR) and TechMoney360 (TM360). No Guarantee as to Content: Although JGR/TM360 attempts to research thoroughly and present information based on sources we believe to be reliable, there are no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein. Any statements expressed are subject to change without notice. It may contain errors and you should not make any investment decisions based on what you have read on here. JGR/TM360, its associates, authors, and affiliates are not responsible for errors or omissions. By accessing the site and receiving this email, you accept and agree to be bound by and comply with the terms and conditions as set out herein. If you do not accept and agree to the terms you should not use the Junior Gold Report and TechMoney360 sites or accept this email. Consideration for Services: JGR/TM360, it’s editor, affiliates, associates, partners, family members, or contractors have an interest and position in the featured company (MGX Minerals), as well as sponsored companies which compensate JGR/TM360 as such our opinions are biased. We do hold shares in and trade these stocks of the companies we profile and as such our opinions are biased. JGR/TM360 and its’ owner and affiliates/associates may buy/sell and trade the featured companies from time to time. JGR/TM360 has been paid by the MGX Minerals in the form of cash, shares and stock options. Thus, multiple conflicts of interest exist. Therefore, information provided here within should not be construed as a financial analysis but rather as an advertisement. Conduct your own due diligence: The author’s views and opinions regarding the companies featured in report(s) are his/her own views and are based on information that he/she has researched independently and has received, which the author assumes to be reliable. You should never base any buying/selling/trading decisions off of our emails, newsletter, website, videos or any of our published materials. JGR/TM360 aims to provide information and often stock ideas but are by no means recommendations. The ideas and companies featured are highly speculative and you could lose your entire investment – consult a licensed financial advisor if you are considering investing in any of the featured companies. Subscribers/readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and due diligence. The companies mentioned are high risk and considered penny stocks that contain a high risk of volatility, therefore consult your investment advisor and do your own due diligence before purchasing. Never base any investment decision on information contained from our emails, newsletter, website, videos or any of our published materials. No Offer to Sell Securities: JGR/TM360 is not a registered broker dealer, investment advisor, financial analyst, stock picker, investment banker or other investment professional. JGR/TM360 is intended for informational, educational and research purposes only. It is not to be considered as investment advice. No statement or expression of any opinions contained in this report constitutes an offer to buy or sell the shares of the companies mentioned herein. Links: JGR/TM360 may contain links to related websites for stock quotes, charts, etc. JGR/TM360 is not responsible for the content of or the privacy practices of these sites. Information contained herein was extracted from public filings, profiled company websites, and other publicly available sources deemed reliable. Information in this report was taken on or before writing and dissemination and may not be updated. Do you own due diligence as information and events can and do change. Published reports may reference company websites or link to company websites and we disclaim and responsibility for the content and accuracy of any such information or website. Cautionary Statement: MGX may decide to advance its petrolithium projects into production without first establishing mineral resources supported by an independent technical report or completing a feasibility study. A production decision without the benefit of a technical report independently establishing mineral resources or reserves and any feasibility study demonstrating economic and technical viability creates increased uncertainty and heightens economic and technical risks of failure. Historically, such projects have a much higher risk of economic or technical failure. All statements in this report, other than statements of historical fact, should be considered forward-looking statements. Release of Liability: By reading and/or watching videos by JGR/TM360, you agree to hold JGR/TM360, its associates, sponsors, affiliates, and partners harmless and to completely release them from any and all liabilities due to any and all losses, damages, or injuries (financial or otherwise) that may be incurred.
Forward Looking Statements
Except for statements of historical fact, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are usually identified by the use of certain terminology, including "will", "believes", "may", "expects", "should", "seeks", "anticipates", "has potential to", or "intends' or by discussions of strategy, forward looking numbers or intentions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results or achievements to be materially different from any future results or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts, and include but are not limited to, estimates and their underlying assumptions; statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to the effectiveness of the Company's business model; future operations, products and services; the impact of regulatory initiatives on the Company's operations; the size of and opportunities related to the market for the Company's products; general industry and macroeconomic growth rates; expectations related to possible joint and/or strategic ventures and statements regarding future performance. Junior Gold Report/TechMoney360 does not take responsibility for the accuracy of forward looking statements and advises the reader to perform their own due diligence on forward looking numbers or statements.