In This Article:
VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 20, 2024 /CNW/ - EMP Metals Corp. (CSE: EMPS) (OTCQB: EMPPF) ("EMP Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the ongoing success and results of the Direct Lithium Extraction ("DLE") Field Pilot Facility (the "Facility") located in Saskatchewan.
The Facility houses the first Koch Technology Solutions ("KTS") DLE pilot skid commissioned and operated in Canada. Saltworks Technologies ("Saltworks") provided pre- and post-DLE systems at site, and complete concentrate, refine, convert (CRC) technology for the production of battery-grade lithium carbonate.
The extremely 'clean' geological brine, without H2S or appreciable organics, was processed through Koch Technology Solutions' Li-Pro™ pilot over 75 days, demonstrating, a lithium recovery of greater than 97%, impurity rejection of greater than 99% (Refer to Table 1).
Table 1
| Element | Retention (%) | Rejection (%) |
| Li | 97 | |
| Na | | 99.95 |
| K | | 99.95 |
| Ca | | 99.3 |
| Mg | | 98.5 |
| Sr | | 99.5 |
| B | | 93 |
Garrett Krall, Lithium Business Leader at KTS, stated, "KTS is thrilled with the industry-leading results Li-Pro™ has delivered. EMP has pulled together a strong team that is rapidly advancing to commercial project deployment with a truly economically advantaged solution."
Megan Low, VP of Lithium Process Solutions at Saltworks, commented, "The site pilot produced lithium concentrations in the DLE eluate exceeding 2000 mg/L with a Li:TDS ratio greater than 0.1, almost non-detectable organics, extremely low silica, and steady performance improvements as the system was remote optimized.
"Li:TDS ratio is a key performance indicator," explained Ms. Low. "A ratio of 0.1 or higher is among top performing DLE systems and is reflective of the high quality and clean Saskatchewan brine processed. This Li:TDS ratio will allow efficient downstream refining to battery-grade materials. This performance represents a new industry benchmark for a continuous at-site DLE pilot," concluded Ms. Low.
Paul Schubach, COO of EMP Metals, commented, "Combining of efforts between EMP, KTS, and Saltworks has delivered results that exceeded expectations, proving the value of our Saskatchewan-based assets."
The DLE eluate has been delivered to Saltworks' headquarters for processing through their on-site Pilot 10 lithium refinery to convert the facility produced eluate into a battery-grade lithium carbonate for dispatch to off-takers.
Qualified Person
The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Greg Bronson, P. Geo., a qualified person for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101.