logo-loader

Infinity Lithium’s hard rock lithium holds market advantage over brine producers

Last updated: 15:26 16 Oct 2018 AEDT, First published: 00:26 16 Oct 2018 AEDT

1539665142_inf-san-jose-map-757
San Jose is in western Spain, 300 kilometres from Madrid

Infinity Lithium Corporation Ltd (ASX:INF) has expanded the lithium hydroxide scoping study at its San Jose Lithium Project to include further hydroxide as well as lithium sulphate flowsheet development.

The expanded study comes after the company identified the hard-rock San Jose resource has a natural advantage over brine producers due to a straight conversion process via a lithium sulphate transitional pathway.

This has delayed the release of the scoping study due to the increased work requirements of detailing operating and capital cost estimates for two separate products.

 

Infinity is advancing its lithium hydroxide study in direct response to the evolving battery chemicals market, with lithium hydroxide demand continuing to grow faster than lithium carbonate.

Most of the recent global investments in lithium chemical plants have been in lithium hydroxide production as lithium-ion battery makers move towards higher-energy density and nickel-rich cathodes.

The company has also identified the European Union and other European countries’ plans to primarily produce electric vehicles as a significant opportunity for San Jose’s development.

Recent investment announcements in lithium-ion battery factories across Europe are a promising sign for Infinity.

Market moving towards lithium hydroxide

Lithium remains the only element in lithium-ion batteries that cannot be substituted and the advancements in battery technologies require high-purity lithium, particularly lithium hydroxide.

The rapid evolution towards nickel-manganese-cobalt cathodes has seen lithium hydroxide as the preferred lithium chemical for cathode production, in addition to nickel-cobalt-aluminium technology that has also moved towards lithium hydroxide.

Infinity anticipates lithium hydroxide to surpass battery-grade lithium carbonate and become the main product consumed in the rechargeable battery market by 2024.

San Jose has an advantageous process route to produce lithium hydroxide using lithium sulphates and benefits from the availability of world-class infrastructure adjacent to the project area.

 

READ: Infinity Lithium completes drilling and technical work for San Jose lithium carbonate feasibility

Hard rock lithium resources and the low impurities featured in mineral-based hydroxide is advantageous when selling to cathode manufacturers, compared to suppliers using brines to source raw lithium.

Lithium mineralisation at San Jose is contained within a lithium-bearing mica which can be leached to produce lithium after calcining (roast) with sulphate reagents.

In this process, ore is mixed with a smaller amount of sulphate material and then heated to create a new water-soluble compound.

The use of potassium sulphate has been targeted by Infinity to produce lithium carbonate and battery-grade lithium carbonate has been independently produced using San Jose material and this sulphate pathway.

Infinity Lithium responds to Spanish constitutional court ruling

Infinity Lithium Corporation Ltd (ASX:INF) General Manager of Corporate Affairs Justin Samulski speaks to Thomas Warner from Proactive London about the implications for the company's 75% owned San Jose Lithium Project of a decision announced this week by the Spanish Federal Constitutional...

on 6/10/23