Oct 12 2017
Pure Energy Minerals Limited is pleased to announce that it has executed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) with Tenova Advanced Technologies Ltd. (“TAT”), TAKRAF USA, INC. (together, “Tenova”) and their Technology Partners to design, build, and operate a pilot plant to demonstrate the viability of the lithium brine extraction and processing technologies developed and patented by TAT (the “Tenova Process”).
After the recent positive preliminary economic assessment (“PEA”), the pilot plant is the next major step along the path to develop Pure Energy’s Clayton Valley lithium brine project (the “CV Project”) in Nevada, USA as the world’s most efficient and environmentally friendly lithium production facility.
The MOU contemplates the construction of a test facility in Nevada that would be built at a significantly larger scale than the Company’s successful mini-pilot plant that ran various tests at TAT’s facility in Israel in 2016. The plant will be designed, engineered and built with the combined expertise, technology, and equipment of Tenova and its Technology Partners: SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions, a business unit of SUEZ Group, NORAM Engineering and Constructors Ltd., and Solvay S.A. The parties to the MOU have agreed that Tenova and its Technology Partners intend to contribute value in various forms to the successful construction and operation of the pilot plant that may include in-kind services, in-kind supply of equipment, financial contributions (cash, deferred payment arrangements or discounts) and other contributions.
Patrick Highsmith, President and CEO of Pure Energy, stated “We are delighted to move forward with Tenova and its leading-edge partners to develop a first-of-its-kind pilot plant for modern lithium production. Without the long production cycles and environmental impact of evaporation ponds and with recovery rates far exceeding conventional brine operations, the Tenova Process could become a better, faster, and greener path to battery-grade lithium hydroxide production. The commitment to success and value contributions of these great organizations to the CV Project has already been evident in the recently released PEA and preliminary engineering work on the pilot plant. Their willingness to work together as a team and to have their own skin-in-the-game to progress our project to the pilot plant stage is exciting and confidence-building.”
“We are very pleased to move to the next commercialization step of Tenova Advanced Technologies’ game-changing lithium recovery process consisting of LiP™, LiSX™ and LiEL™. Together with Pure Energy Minerals and our Technology Partners, we will demonstrate the Tenova process in a continuous pilot scale plant, which will provide us with the required data for building the commercial Clayton Valley lithium plant,” commented Amir Yanai, TAT’s General Manager for the lithium business unit.
William Heins, Executive, Global Market Development of SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions said, “SUEZ is excited to work with Tenova and Pure Energy to demonstrate our innovative technologies for the lithium market. These technologies offer producers an environmentally cleaner and more economical solution to lithium production.”
Key objectives of the pilot plant will include, but not be limited to:
- Confirm the effectiveness of the Tenova Process for the CV Project through continuous operation;
- Achieve a significant scaling up from previous work;
- Provide the data to support engineering and design of a large scale commercial plant;
- Derive the operational data on consumables, costs, and efficiency necessary for a feasibility study; and
- Produce samples of high purity lithium hydroxide monohydrate for potential customers.
Specific details of the scope of the engagement, value contributions, etc. will be incorporated into a Professional Services Agreement(s) to be negotiated and executed by the parties in due course.
The pilot plant is expected to take up to 12 months to design and permit. Construction and operation would span another 12 months, depending in part on how many potential customers need product from the plant. The overall cost for design, construction, and operation of the pilot plant is expected to be up to US$15 million.
Quality Assurance
Patrick Highsmith, Certified Professional Geologist (AIPG CPG # 11702), is a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Highsmith is not independent of the Company as he is an officer and director.
Source: http://www.pureenergyminerals.com/pure-energy-minerals-announces-mou-with-major-technology-and-engineering-firms-for-innovative-lithium-pilot-plant/