Lithium Australia NL (ASX:LIT) has finalised its acquisition of 99.7% of the equity in the Very Small Particle Company (VSPC), a Brisbane-based technology company.
VSPC has spent 14 years and $30 million developing some of the world’s most advanced manufacturing techniques for the production of cathode materials.
These materials are critical components of lithium-ion batteries.
Re-commissioning of the cathode plant
Re-commissioning of the 2-4 tonne per annum cathode powder plant at the Brisbane VSPC facility is underway.
Plant inspections and servicing are underway, as is evaluation of equipment upgrades, to prepare for resumption of production in July 2018.
Furthermore, a recruitment drive for senior scientists and operational staff has commenced.
READ: Lithium Australia enters high-margin end of battery metals market after completing acquisition
Lithium Australia’s managing director Adrian Griffin said: “Recommissioning the VSPC pilot plant is a challenging task, but many of the past scientific and operating staff have made themselves available to ensure success.
“We welcome their assistance and participation in our plan to provide the world’s battery producers with the best available cathode materials.”
READ: Lithium Australia completes maiden drilling at lithium tin project in Germany
Recently, Lithium Australia completed its maiden drilling program at the Sadisdorf polymetallic tin-lithium project in Saxony, Germany.
The three hole, 560-metre diamond drilling program commenced in mid-December 2017 and was completed last week.
The program was designed to validate historical drilling data and increase confidence in future mineral resource estimates.
Lithium Australia is farming into a joint venture at Sadisdorf with German company Tin International AG.
Sadisdorf has the potential to provide feed to a commercial scale SiLeach® lithium carbonate plant.