Galaxy to use Purification Technology at Sal De Vida
Perth, Sep 24, 2012 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Lithium producer Galaxy Resources Ltd (
ASX:GXY) advises it is to utilise its own patented purification technology at the recently acquired Sal de Vida lithium and potash brine project ("Sal de Vida" or "the Project") in Argentina to produce battery grade lithium carbonate.
The purification technology is used to upgrade lithium carbonate's purity to 'battery grade' (99.5% purity, or above) meaning it can be used by battery cathode producers for the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries. Because of its high value application, battery grade lithium carbonate receives a significant price premium to more common technical grades.
Highlights:
- Galaxy to use patented purification technology to produce battery grade lithium carbonate at Sal de Vida
- Technology successfully proven at Jiangsu Lithium Carbonate Plant, China
- Battery grade lithium carbonate commands significant price premium versus technical grade
- Technology application included within DFS models and flow sheets
- Galaxy will be the first company in the South American lithium space to produce battery grade product from the salar site
Galaxy developed and patented the purification technology in 2010 and has successfully proven the technology at its whollyowned Jiangsu Lithium Carbonate Plant ("Jiangsu Plant" or "Jiangsu") in China. Jiangsu's lithium carbonate met all battery grade specifications in July 2012 and initial sales of battery grade lithium carbonate have commenced.
Galaxy plans to develop a battery grade lithium carbonate plant at the recently acquired Sal de Vida site, which will mirror the purification plant design at Jiangsu. Galaxy's purification technology is designed to be applied to either hard rock or brine based lithium carbonate production processes. A Definitive Feasibility Study currently underway on Sal de Vida will incorporate utilisation of the purification technology in its flow sheet. (see Figure 1. in link below)
Galaxy Managing Director Iggy Tan said Galaxy's technology will enable it to become the first lithium company in South America to produce battery grade lithium carbonate directly from the salar site.
"Currently, South American brine lithium producers have to upgrade their lithium carbonate to battery grade standard by sending the product off site or overseas. Using our purification technology, Galaxy will be the first company in South America to produce battery grade lithium carbonate product direct from a brine salar operation.
"We see the biggest future lithium demand coming from the lithium-ion battery sector. We believe we are already achieving one of the best quality battery grade products available in the market today," Mr Tan said.
The high quality Sal de Vida project is expected to become Galaxy's next flagship asset. Sal de Vida's potential production profile is 25,000 tpa of battery grade lithium carbonate, which would take Galaxy's annual lithium carbonate production to 42,000 tpa from 2016 onwards. Galaxy is continuing work on the development of Sal de Vida, although a final investment decision won't be made by the Galaxy Board until the Jiangsu Plant is generating positive cash flows on a sustained basis, expected Q1 2013.
Table 1 (in link below) shows lithium carbonate quality produced at Galaxy's Jiangsu Plant using purification technology compared to South American brine product currently available in the market. The current purified product from Jiangsu has far lower levels of critical elements such as Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg). For lithium cathode and lithium-ion battery makers, these impurity levels are critical, with high levels of these elements potentially causing oxidation and gassing in the final battery product, and ultimately reduction in the life of a lithium-ion battery.
Galaxy recently added number of lithium industry experts to its Sal de Vida team, including lithium industry veteran Dr Vijay Mehta, whose expertise is in the brine processing using solar energy and the production of high purity (battery grade) lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide and anhydrous lithium chloride.
As Galaxy's senior technical advisor on the Sal De Vida project, Dr Mehta believes the purification technology developed by Galaxy for its China plant has successfully produced one of the best grade lithium carbonate products on the global market to date.
According to Dr. Mehta, Galaxy's lithium carbonate purification technology is able to be adapted to Sal de Vida's brine based lithium carbonate process. Galaxy expects to produce the best quality grade lithium carbonate directly from the salar operation.
For the tables and diagrams, please visit:
http://media.abnnewswire.net/media/en/docs/ASX-GXY-605006.pdf
About Galaxy Resources Limited
Galaxy Resources Limited (ASX:GXY) (OTCMKTS:GALXF) is an international S&P / ASX 200 Index company with lithium production facilities, hard rock mines and brine assets in Australia, Canada and Argentina. It wholly owns and operates the Mt Cattlin mine in Ravensthorpe Western Australia, which is currently producing spodumene and tantalum concentrate, and the James Bay lithium pegmatite project in Quebec, Canada.
Galaxy is advancing plans to develop the Sal de Vida lithium and potash brine project in Argentina situated in the lithium triangle (where Chile, Argentina and Bolivia meet), which is currently the source of 60% of global lithium production. Sal de Vida has excellent potential as a low cost brine-based lithium carbonate production facility.
Lithium compounds are used in the manufacture of ceramics, glass, and consumer electronics and are an essential cathode material for long life lithium-ion batteries used in hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as mass energy storage systems. Galaxy is bullish about the global lithium demand outlook and is aiming to become a major producer of lithium products.
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