EMP Metals throws switch of first Koch DLE pilot plant in Canada

EMP Metals (CSE: EMPS; US-OTC: EMPPF) has begun commissioning its direct lithium extraction (DLE) pilot plant in Estevan, Sask. at its Viewfield brine project. 

The project is expected to produce 12,175 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) per year over an estimated life of 23 years, at an average of 128 mg per litre from seven target zones, according to a preliminary economic assessment released in January. Viewfield sits over the Duperow formation, a regional reservoir that is shallower than the Leduc formation in Alberta and allows for lower operating costs. 

“The commencement, commissioning, and continuous run time at the pilot facility is a substantial milestone for EMP Metals and ROK Resources,” said EMP COO Paul Schuh. “The data set we will collect over the next few months is expected to add significant value to our detailed engineering work for the initial stage 1 commercial facility located in southern Saskatchewan.”

EMP’s progress makes it one of just a few DLE companies on the Prairies who have launched pilot facilities to test recovered brine, along with E3 Lithium (TSXV: ETL; US-OTC: EEMMF), Volt Lithium (TSXV: VLT) and LithiumBank Resources (TSXV: LBNK; US-OTC: LBNKF) in neighbouring Alberta. Lithium brine exploration continues to accelerate in the Prairie provinces. 

The operation of the pilot plant has been designed to closely resemble field operation conditions. The plant features pre-filtration and heater circuits designed by Saltworks Technologies to deliver brine to the facility at 60°C. The pilot plant will operate 24/7 over the next few months. Performance data will be collected and used to advance detailed engineering work on the stage 1 commercial facility.

This is the first Koch Technology Solutions DLE pilot skid in Canada.

EMP says the plant will treat brine averaging 185 mg per l at a rate of 4,500 litres per day. This rate is lower than the planned commercial rate because the feed is of higher grade than it will be over the long-term. Combined, the total project contains approximately 338,843 tonnes of elemental lithium in-situ or 1.8 million tonnes of LCE.

EMP owns and operates the projects in a 75-25 joint venture with ROK Resources (TSXV: ROK).

Company shares were up 4.3% to 36¢ apiece on Thursday afternoon, valuing EMP at $32.5 million. Its shares traded in a 52-week range of 30¢ to 58¢.