A Potentially Game-Changing Extraction Process
Medaro has the opportunity to acquire the exclusive rights to commercialize a new and radically different thermochemical technology designed to rapidly extract lithium from spodumene (LiAlSi2O6) and convert it to high-purity lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) and/or lithium hydroxide (LiOH) and/or lithium metal (Li). Value-added commodity byproducts include aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and high-quality silica (SiO2).
Low Cost, Carbon-Free, Cost Effective
Preliminary technical and economic analyses by Medaro’s joint venture partner indicate that the HLT is capable of lowering overall spodumene processing costs by 30 to 50%.
With the exception of spodumene concentrate calcination at 1075-1100 °C to convert α-spodumene to ß-spodumene, all of the reactions in the Medaro SPT occur at temperatures <250 °C.
Internal recycling of the spodumene “solvent” and aluminum hydroxide precipitant dramatically reduces chemical processing costs.
HLT targets every Environmental, Social & Corporate Governance Metric (ESG)
Development of the method has already gone beyond the Process Flow Diagram (PFD) mark, and work has commenced to Piping and Instrumentation Design (P&ID).
With a finalized P&ID, and an accompanying equipment layout drawing, all of the necessary “blueprints” will be in place to build and operate a pilot plant.
Benefits
Deliver a Game Changing Technology to Compete with Lithium Production from Brines
Drive Profitable Hard Rock Lithium Extraction and Global Sector Growth
Customers will be able to situate Medaro-licensed processing facilities adjacent to their mines and ship battery grade lithium and valuable by-products directly to end-use markets.
The proposed process is designed for scalability with 50 to 100 tonnes per day (or more) readily envisioned for processing in remote locations across the pegmatite-rich regions of the world.
Lithium products are used in a wide variety of industries. Its obtained mainly from two sources: subsurface brines, and spodumene-bearing pegmatite deposits.
Lithium-bearing brines are pumped out of the ground and subsequently treated, first, to increase lithium concentration, and thereafter to form either lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide.