Livium moves to demonstrate lithium extraction technology

Lithium chemicals manufacturer Livium, formerly Lithium Australia, will decide by the end of January 2025 whether to proceed with plans to utilise its proprietary technologies to extract lithium from difficult to process ores.

Livium is developing technologies to produce lithium chemicals from waste or low-grade sources, with its main technologies LieNA for processing spodumene and SiLeach for treating lithium mica minerals.

Now the company has announced it has completed activities under a JDA with Mineral Resources Ltd (MinRes) within budget.

The activities undertaken included refinement of high-quality lithium phosphate and completion of a demonstration plant engineering study.

Livium told investors: “Livium is now discussing with MinRes the outcomes from these activities which include defining the next steps for the LieNA commercialisation pathway under the JDA targeting finalisation by 31st January 2025.”

Livium CEO and Managing Director Simon Linge said the work had provided positive and valuable insights into the LieNA technology including the potential for a new commercialisation pathway.

Linge said: “Completion of these activities deepens our partnership with MinRes and we look forward to advancing this innovative technology towards commercialisation, delivering significant benefits to the hard rock lithium sector.”

The JV plans to license the LieNA technology to third-parties at a target headline gross product royalty rate of 8.5 percent.

“The royalty model materially expands Livium’s addressable market as it has the potential to capture a fee on all tonnage processed via any mine utilising the LieNA technology.

“On successful completion of the JDA activities, the JV will initially license the LieNA technology to a semi-commercial facility which MinRes can elect to independently fund, develop, and operate.

“The larger plant will aim to extract lithium salt at a commercial scale under the licence.”

Further reading:
Lithium Australian begins LieNA process pilot plant

Picture: Livium