Lepidico to build Middle East lithium chemical plant

Lithium chemicals business Lepidico is pressing ahead with plans to build a lithium processing facility at a site in the Khalifa free trade zone in Abu Dhabi.

The Perth company has established a subsidiary Lepidico Chemicals Manufacturing Ltd which has been awarded a pre-operations industrial licence to proceed with its Phase 1 chemical plant development.

This licence is a precursor to permission to allow construction of plant and buildings in the zone.

The proposed plant, which is now subject to environmental and other investigations, will process ores from Walvis Bay, Namibia which will be transported to the site by road from Abu Dhabi port.

In January @AuManufacturing reported that Lepidico had successfully produced lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LOH) suitable for battery production from its Perth pilot plant operation (pictured).

Lepidico managing director, Joe Walsh said the company would now conduct a full Environmental and Social Assessment for the chemical plant.

The plant will utilise Lepidico’s proprietary LOH-Max process for lithium separation.

Picture: Lepidico Ltd

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