An innovative ‘mid-stream’ refining process for sustainable lithium, developed in a joint venture (JV) between Calix and Pilbara Minerals, moved a step closer following a successful financial investment decision on a demonstration plant at Pilbara Minerals’ Pilgangoora Project.
The demonstration plant will use Calix’s patented electric calcination technology and is supported by $20m in Australian Government funding announced under the Modern Manufacturing Initiative.
Phil Hodgson
Calix CEO and Managing Director
Calix CEO and Managing Director, Phil Hodgson said:
“We are delighted that the Project has passed the FID milestone, and we thank the Australian Government for their support.
Together, we look forward to demonstrating the potential of our electric calcination technology to dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of Australian lithium. The success of the joint venture will also showcase the opportunity of combining Australian mineral and renewable resources with innovative Australian technology to enable the reliable and sustainable supply of value-added critical minerals to the world.”
Dale Henderson
Pilbara Minerals CEO
Pilbara Minerals CEO, Dale Henderson said:
“Following further studies and pilot test work, we are delighted to be taking the next step in our mid-stream strategy with the construction and operation of a Mid-Stream Demonstration Plant with our JV partner Calix.
The mid-stream strategy has potential to materially improve the battery materials supply chain for lithium through reduction in carbon energy intensity, reduction in transport volumes and creating more value at the mine site. It has the potential to be a game changer compared to the traditional spodumene to chemicals processing route.
The demonstration plant with Calix is an important step to further the development of the technology with the aim of commercialising the technology for application at the Pilgangoora operation and across the lithium industry through our commercialisation JV with Calix. This could in time open-up an additional revenue stream for the Company.
I would like to acknowledge the financial contribution of the Australian Government to the demonstration plant project through a $20M Modern Manufacturing Initiative Grant. It’s great to see the Australian Government supporting Australian innovation in the critical minerals industry.”
Calix’s electric processing technology for sustainable lithium
The proposed mid-stream refining plant is designed to show the potential for renewably powered processing of spodumene at the mine site. With a full production capacity of more than 3,000 tonnes per year of concentrated lithium-phosphate salt product from a feedstock of around 27,000 tonnes per year of spodumene – including lower grade fine spodumene concentrate – the project aims to demonstrate:
Reduced carbon intensity
Electrification of the mid-stream process, including spodumene calcining, can enable the use of up to 100% renewably sourced power and deliver a vast reduction in carbon emission intensity of the lithium product.
Reduced waste
A concentrated and near zero-waste lithium product would allow waste material to be left at the mine site, providing further cost and emissions savings through reduced and simplified transport and logistics.
Reduced cost
Lower capital and operating costs with Calix’s electric calciner compared with conventional calcining processes.
Value add
A lithium rich product produced at the mine site may enable more value to be captured onshore at the mineral resource.
Depiction of a 3.1MW Calix electric calciner for a mid-stream lithium processing demonstration plant.
Mid-Stream Demonstration Plant location and layout.
