Great find @cosmoman !! This was one the reasons I had thought...

Great find @cosmoman !!

This was one the reasons I had thought PLS could be a good strategic partner for ESS.

As we know the Spodumene in North Dome may have a significant volume of fines. Management have taken the step to investigate processing these fine spodumene portions which may provide numerous benefits (listed below).

As some may know PLS have Spodumene fines as well and have partnered with CALIX to produce a 'Green' Lithium Salt.

"The Calix Technology solution involves heating fine spodumene concentrate in an externally heated kiln for a very short time. This facilitates the phase change in the spodumene mineral from Alpha to Beta without the associated melting observed in traditional rotary kilns when treating fine concentrates."

As this heated kiln can be powered from Electric - PLS also have sub contracted Pacific Energy Group (“PEG”) subsidiary Contract Power Australia Pty Ltd (“CPA”) has been awarded a 15-year contract to construct, operate and maintain a 6MW solar array. This means PLS could be producing a zero carbon product and if/when successful gives them guaranteed Premium concentrated product opening up Customers in US and Europe.

So I can only imagine this LieNA® process may be a similar.

The advantages for ESS could be, if the technology is similar and proven successful and they license the LieNa process.

1. Processes lower grades ore, ie bigger resource to mine.
2. Increased recoveries
3. Production of a concentrated midstream product such as Li Salts,
4. Incorporate Solar as per PLS for a zero carbon premium Product.
5. Less mine waste and lower cost and lower volume to ship to non (Asian) markets
6. Diversification to Mid stream Products

Whatever technology gets up - I'm sure ESS management will be onto it.

This is a huge tick here and at least gives me a clue that management aren't just sitting on their hands.

They are working and planning 3 steps ahead to get ESS's North Dome's resource Mined and thinking about all the options and benefits to process the ORE to maximize recoveries and ultimately maximize profits.

Happy days!