Lithium Australia has successfully completed the final stage of piloting its LieNA technology in collaboration with Mineral Resources Limited (MinRes) at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). This stage focused on producing lithium phosphate from spodumene concentrate supplied by MinRes.
The pilot plant’s performance and the quality of the lithium phosphate produced are currently under analysis. The findings will inform the next steps, including refining the product, with completion expected by the end of 2024.
Lithium Australia also announced the receipt of an additional A$1.2 million (approximately $804,000 USD) from a convertible note issued by MinRes, bringing the total drawdown to A$4.2 million (approximately $2.81 million USD) out of the A$4.5 million (approximately $3.02 million USD) note. This funding will support the engineering study for a demonstration plant, scheduled for completion in 2024.
Subject to the successful analysis of the lithium phosphate and the engineering study, Lithium Australia and MinRes plan to form a joint venture to commercialize the LieNA technology.