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
From Pegmatite to Spodumene Concentrate
Typical process is located as near to mine as possible. Concentrate is shipped onwards (sometimes huge distances) for advanced processing into commercial products
* Based on current market price as of June 2021
A Dual Closed Loop Thermochemical Technology
* Based on current market price as of June 2021
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.
* Based on current market price as of June 2021
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.
