Kachi – Process alternatives In aprevious post I mentioned the...

Kachi – Process alternatives

 

In aprevious post I mentioned the Canadian  listed Pure Energy Minerals brine project in the ClaytonValleyNevada (also the location of Anson ResourcesParadox Lithium project). The Pure Energy processing operation has been designed by ItalianTenova (founded in Argentinacirca 1946)  with involvement of Frenchgiant SUEZ.

 

Below arelinks to  details of that operation. Theprocess uses a combination of membranes and solvent extraction (SX) to achieve thesame result as a line  incorporating  Lilac's ion exchange process using specialbeads.

 

Bothprocesses claim aro. 90% extraction (compared to evaporation  ponds 50%). Bothclaim aro 2 hour processing, both return the processed brine into the reservoiralthough where and what effect on dilution of the reservoir is not indicated

 

A differenceis that Lilac is still at  bench scale(it is only a small part of the processing line). Lilac do not have the resourcesto design the entire line. Lake would go to a heavyweight such as Tenova or others forthat

 

The time linesfor the development of the Pure Energy plant  suggest that the Lilac ion exchange concept isa later development which surfaced after the design of the Tenova extraction line was well advanced. The Lilacprocess could presumably replace the front end solvent extraction .

 

We know thatthe characteristics of all brines differ and it is  not possible to figure what the effect of thelow Li concentrations at Kachi would have on a "Tenova" option , Possibly only a larger plant at thefront end of the process and double the cost to pump to and dispose of low concentration300 mg / l brine compared to 700 mg/l concentration . The Lilac process would have a smaller front end  and would eliminate the chemical requirement for SX

a Tenova

The Lilacion exchange system has the potential to provide cost benefits over solventextraction

It isuseful to view these references to get an idea of the timing for development ofthe plant.   Particularly interesting is the capital costof $600,000 (plus) for the pilot line and only $300 million for the full line.

TheTenova SX approach is at least one alternative eliminating  evaporation ponds, increasing recoveries andreducing recovery time from months to hours. It is  a safety netif Lilac is not cost competitive or runs into technical difficulties. There probablyare others.

 

A bit morecomfortable now. Presumably the shareholder who pitched in with the $500,000unsecured loan has similar sentiments

 

Video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFDzl4cMuG8

 

Technologyoverview  http://www.pureenergyminerals.com/technology-overview/

 

Projectoverview  http://www.pureenergyminerals.com/projects1

 

Pilotplant   (cost $600,000 plus)

http://www.pureenergyminerals.com/pure-energy-minerals-announces-completion-of-pilot-plant-basic-design-at-the-clayton-valley-lithium-project/

 

Tenova https://www.tenova.com/product/lithium-processing

 

Note I haveno technical expertise to support these observations