CleanTech Lithium PLC on Wednesday said its pilot plant for direct lithium extraction has begun operations, and noted that the first lithium chloride eluate has been produced.

The Chile-focused lithium exploration and development company said that the pilot plant in Copiapo, northern Chile, has a design capacity of one tonne per month lithium carbonate equivalent as concentrated eluate.

First production of eluate was completed in the past week, and it will start being shipped in batches to North America, CleanTech said.

The firm also explained that the pilot plant will be used for process optimisation and product verification and ‘will provide important input into the pre-feasibility study currently underway for the project.’

Chief Executive Officer Aldo Boitano said: ‘I am very pleased to inform the market that our pilot plant has commenced operation with the first volume of lithium chloride eluate produced. Batches of concentrated eluate will be shipped to North America to be converted into battery grade lithium carbonate by a third-party processor. This pilot plant plans to produce significant quantities of battery grade product for evaluation by potential strategic partners, making CTL one of the few companies in the sector to produce pilot scale volumes of battery grade product. The pilot plant positions CTL as a leader in the sector and in Chile, with first eluate production representing a significant milestone for the company.’

Shares in CleanTech rose 2.5% to 15.50 pence each in London on Wednesday morning.

Copyright 2024 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.