CleanTech Lithium, a leading lithium manufacturer, announced exciting developments in its ongoing pre-feasibility study for the Laguna Verde Project in Chile. The company revealed the results of a plant location study conducted by Worley, which evaluated the optimal location for producing 20,000 tonnes per annum of battery-grade lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE).
Xi’an Lanshen New Material Technology Company has been chosen to design the lithium processing plant, with Worley handling the design of the balance of plant and infrastructure. The study considered locating the plant entirely at Laguna Verde or splitting the facilities between Laguna Verde and the nearby mining center of Copiapó. Ultimately, the decision was made to have the DLE plant and eluate concentration stages at Laguna Verde, with the carbonation plant in Copiapó.
The chosen configuration not only takes advantage of Copiapó’s infrastructure and skilled workforce but also minimizes environmental impacts at the high-altitude location of Laguna Verde. Additionally, the carbonation plant in Copiapó is planned to expand to process eluate from the Viento Andino project in the future.
Executive chairman and interim CEO, Steve Kesler, highlighted the benefits of this decision, including reducing the environmental footprint and utilizing existing infrastructure in Copiapó. The plant configuration will play a crucial role in the PFS, expected to be completed by the end of the fourth quarter.
Investors showed confidence in CleanTech Lithium’s strategy, with shares up 1.4% following the announcement. The company’s forward-thinking approach to production development and sustainability has positioned it as a key player in the lithium industry.
