Lithium Australia and MinRes to form processing technology JV

Lithium ion battery materials group Lithium Australia and Mineral Resources (MinRes) will form a joint venture to commercialise the LieNA process to recover lithium from hard rock spodumene ores. The news comes after Lithium Australia completed the final stage of LieNA piloting activities at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) which commenced in…

Lithium Australia battery recycling achieves maiden profit

Lithium Australia’s lithium ion battery (LIB) recycling subsidiary Envirostream Australia has achieved a significant milestone, delivering its first positive operating profit during Q4 FY24. The achievement was driven by the company’s transition towards an upstream service model, which has increased revenues with a higher proportion of revenues now received upfront through recycling fees. Lithium Australia…

Lithium Australia boosts battery recycling

Lithium ion battery materials company Lithium Australia has increased battery recycling at its Envirostream facilities (pictured) as agreements with overseas manufacturers lead to higher collection volumes. The company told investors it collected 344 tonnes of batteries during the March quarter, including 177 tonnes of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), an 18 percent increase in LIB collection volumes…

Lithium Australian begins LieNA process pilot plant

Lithium ion battery materials company Lithium Australia has commenced pilot plant operations testing its LieNA lithium metal processing technology. Operating the pilot plant, at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation’s Sydney facility, is through a joint development agreement (JDA) with Mineral Resources Ltd (MinRes). The plant is a key activity to demonstrate the technology…

Lithium Australia produces advanced cathode materials

Second-generation lithium manganese ferro phosphate (LMFP) battery cathode powder produced by Lithium Australia has met industry performance and physical property specifications. Electric vehicle manufacturers including China’s BYD, VW and Tesla are transitioning to the use of lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) cathode materials in lithium batteries. Both LFP and LMFP batteries are cheaper and safer than…

Lithium Australia protects battery recycling processes

Lithium ion battery materials group Lithium Australia has filed two patent cooperation treaty (PCT) applications seeking protection for its lithium ion battery recycling technologies. PCT protection is a way of gaining coverage in multiple overseas jurisdictions in one step. The first of its applications involves the recovery of electrode materials and electrolyte from spent lithium…

Lithium Australia demonstrates reduced production costs for cathodes

Lithium materials company Lithium Australia has demonstrated cost savings of between 20 and 30 per cent in chemical and reagent costs used to produce lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO) battery cathodes. The company, which is developing lithium mines, processing technologies, component manufacturing and battery recycling, demonstrated the savings at its subsidiary, VSPC Ltd’s Brisbane pilot plant.…