Century Lithium Corp. Achieves High Recovery Rates of Rare Earth Elements
Century Lithium Corp. (TSXV: LCE, OTCQX: CYDVF) has recently achieved significant recovery rates of rare earth elements (REEs) from primary lithium leach solutions. This advancement positions the company strategically within the growing critical mineral market, emphasizing innovative practices that not only enhance economic viability but also align with governmental and industry objectives surrounding sustainable sourcing.
Results from the Angel Island Lithium Project
The positive results stem from ongoing tests being conducted at the company’s 100%-owned Angel Island lithium project. Initial assessments indicate that high REE recovery rates are achievable without compromising lithium recovery. This breakthrough highlights the potential for Century Lithium’s leach solutions to provide secondary-value opportunities, a viewpoint supported by Todd Fayram, the company's Senior Vice President of Metallurgy.
Valuable Insights on REE Concentrations
Century Lithium has identified significant concentrations of valuable REEs within the leach solutions produced from Angel Island claystone. These include dysprosium, gadolinium, neodymium, and praseodymium, alongside higher concentrations of essential metals like scandium, lanthanum, and cerium. Even cesium was detected during the evaluation, underscoring the comprehensive mineral potential.
Exceptional Ion-Exchange Test Results
Recent ion-exchange tests have demonstrated remarkable recovery rates, achieving over 97% for most identified REEs and critical metals, all while ensuring complete selectivity against lithium. This characteristic is crucial for downstream lithium recovery processes and supports the company’s method of extraction, which combines ultrafiltration and direct lithium extraction (DLE) to produce high-purity lithium carbonate.
Ongoing Metallurgical Program Focus
The metallurgical program at Century Lithium is dedicated to several key aspects:
- Enhancing ion-exchange performance and selectivity.
- Advancing processing techniques for REE concentration and refinement.
- Exploring market pathways for commercially viable REE by-products.
- Analyzing the economic impacts of REEs on primary lithium production.
Strategic Positioning in the Critical Minerals Market
The latest outcomes signify a pivotal technical achievement for Century Lithium, showcasing that the extraction and recovery of REEs can occur parallel to the lithium recovery process. The company envisions a future where both lithium and REEs are supplied to North American markets, contributing to improved supply chain resilience and increasing the overall long-term value of their Angel Island project.
About Century Lithium Corp.
Century Lithium is recognized as an advanced-stage lithium company dedicated to its Angel Island project. This project boasts one of the largest sedimentary lithium deposits in North America. Century Lithium has also pioneered a patent-pending process that merges chloride leaching with direct lithium extraction to create battery-grade lithium carbonate from the lithium-bearing claystone found at the site.
Currently, the company is in the permitting stage for a comprehensive production plan, projected to average approximately 34,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate annually over an estimated 40-year lifespan. Trading on both TSX Venture Exchange (symbol: LCE) and OTCQX (symbol: CYDVF), the company is well-positioned to meet the demands of the expanding electric vehicle and battery storage markets.
Contact Information
For further details, visit centurylithium.com. For inquiries, reach out to:
William Willoughby, PhD, PE
President & Chief Executive Officer
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What recent achievements has Century Lithium made?
Century Lithium has reported high recovery rates of rare earth elements from lithium leach solutions, enhancing its economic prospects and sustainability.
2. What is the Angel Island project?
The Angel Island project is Century Lithium's primary lithium extraction site, noted for containing one of the largest sedimentary lithium deposits in North America.
3. How does Century Lithium recover REEs?
They employ advanced ion-exchange tests, achieving over 97% recovery rates for REEs while ensuring lithium selectivity.
4. What is the company's goal moving forward?
Century Lithium aims to supply both lithium and rare earth elements to critical markets, strengthening supply chains.
5. Where can I find more information about Century Lithium?
More details can be found on their official website, centurylithium.com.
