Volt Lithium Successfully Produces Battery-Grade Lithium Carbonate from Permian Basin Operations
Volt Lithium has announced the successful production of battery-grade lithium carbonate from its field operations in the Permian Basin, West Texas. The development marks a major achievement for Volt as it positions itself as one of North America's pioneering producers of lithium from oilfield brine.
"Successfully producing battery-grade lithium carbonate from the Permian is another significant milestone that Volt has achieved this year," commented Alex Wylie, President and CEO of Volt Lithium. "Volt Lithium is on track to become one of North America's first commercial producers of lithium from oilfield brine, contributing to the security of future sources of critical minerals in North America."
Volt has developed an innovative proprietary direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology to commercially extract lithium from oilfield brines across North America. The DLE system has been operational at the company's U.S. field unit in West Texas since September 17, 2024, and continues to be optimized to enhance production efficiency. The Field Unit has been producing lithium chloride concentrate, a precursor to lithium carbonate, which has successfully been converted into 99.5% pure battery-grade lithium carbonate. The lithium carbonate samples have been verified through third-party testing and are now being evaluated by potential offtake partners.
Volt's proprietary DLE technology utilizes a three-stage process to extract lithium from oilfield brine. In the first stage, the brine is treated and purified to remove up to 99% of organics and contaminants. In the second stage, Volt's DLE process extracts lithium from the brine, achieving a lithium extraction yield of up to 99%. The resulting lithium chloride concentrate, known as eluate, is then purified and refined in-house to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate that meets industry specifications.
Volt plans to continue the production of lithium chloride concentrate, as well as technical-grade and battery-grade lithium carbonate, for the remainder of 2024. The successful production of high-quality battery-grade lithium from oilfield brine positions Volt to contribute significantly to the critical minerals supply chain, enhancing North America's energy security and advancing the region's green energy transition.
