DLE Weekly delivers the latest insights on Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technologies, industry developments, and market trends. Stay tuned to see how DLE is shaping the future of sustainable energy.
DLE Weekly - 17 January 2025
by Zoe Wang, Global Business, BICHEM Group
Two Lithium Companies Secure Support from DOE
Two lithium companies have successfully secured financial backing and loans from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Standard Lithium, a Canadian lithium company, announced it had obtained $225 million in funding from the DOE to support the first phase of its South West Arkansas (SWA) project. Since December 2024, Standard Lithium has been collaborating with Equinor, a Norwegian state-owned oil company, to develop a Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) pilot plant at the SWA project site. The pilot plant is expected to produce 22,500 tons of battery-grade lithium carbonate annually. Meanwhile, ATLiS, the subsidiary of EnergySource Minerals (ESM), has secured a DOE loan of up to $1.36 billion from DOE’s Loan Programs Office (LPO). This funding will support the construction and operation of the ATLiS plant in California. The facility will employ DLE technology to extract lithium hydroxide from geothermal brine, with an annual production capacity of 20,000 tons of lithium hydroxide.
Chinese Lithium Giant Plans to Launch its Lithium Production in Congo from 2026
Zijin Mining Group announced recently that it plans to begin lithium production at the Manono project in the first quarter of 2026. Development of the mine will be driven by a joint venture between Zijin and the Congolese government. Zijin secured the full mining permit for the project by the end of 2024. The mine is known for its high-grade ore, with an average lithium oxide grade of 1.51%. Chinese companies, including Zijin, are investing in lithium resources across Africa, from Mali to Zimbabwe, despite lithium prices having dropped nearly 90% since their peak in 2022.
An Updated Joint Venture Agreement for a Lithium Project in Congo
AVZ Minerals, an Australian mining company, announced an updated joint venture agreement with Suzhou CATH Energy Technologies (CATH) and secured $20 million in financing to further advance the development of the Manono project. Under the terms of the agreement, CATH will provide AVZ with $20 million in pre-completion funding to support related expenditures. Additionally, CATH will pay AVZ $259.25 million in cash to acquire a 30.5% indirect stake in AVZ’s interest in the Manono project.
Phase 2 Mining Permit Granted for Lithium Project in Argentina
Galan Lithium, an Australian mining company, has obtained the phase 2 mining permit for its Hombre Muerto West (HMW) lithium brine project in Argentina. The permit, granted by the Catamarca Provincial Mining Department, allows Galan to expand its production capacity to 21,000 tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) per year, provided that phase 1 targets are met and necessary financing is secured. The first phase of the project is expected to commence by the end of 2025, with a target of 5,400 tons of LCE annually. The second phase aims to achieve an output of 21,000 tons of LCE by 2026.
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