Alpha Lithium Engages Lilac Solutions Inc. for Brine Extraction Study

Rhea-AI Summary

Alpha Lithium Corporation (TSX.V: ALLI) (OTC: ALLIF) has engaged Lilac Solutions Inc to begin initial engineering work on Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) for brine samples from its Tolillar Salar in Argentina. This collaboration aims to enhance lithium recovery and assess purity levels. The first stage will involve testing brine samples to determine lithium recovery rates and operating costs. CEO Brad Nichol highlighted the importance of DLE technology, noting their treasury of over $35 million is focused on achieving production at Tolillar. Lilac's technology could recover 80% of lithium efficiently.

Positive

• Engagement with Lilac Solutions for initial DLE engineering work.
• Potential for high lithium recovery rates (up to 80%) using Lilac's technology.
• Investor confidence indicated by a treasury exceeding $35 million.

Negative

• None.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alpha Lithium Corporation (TSX.V: ALLI) (OTC: ALLIF) (Frankfurt: 2P62) (“Alpha” or the “Company”), sole owner of one of the last large, undeveloped salars in Argentina’s Lithium Triangle, is pleased to announce it has engaged Lilac Solutions Inc (“Lilac”) to undertake initial Direct Lithium Extraction (“DLE”) engineering work on brine samples from Alpha’s Tolillar Salar. Lilac’s engineering work is intended to complement Alpha’s in-house engineering being done by the principals of Beyond Lithium SA, a world-renowned team of chemical process engineers with decades of lithium chemistry experience.

Lilac has been engaged to commence Stage 1 Engineering. This first stage requires initial brine samples to be sent directly from the Tolillar Salar to Lilac’s offices in Oakland, California. The brine will be passed through Lilac’s proprietary lithium extraction modules for approximately three weeks and the results will be monitored and reported.

This initial test will provide the Company with:

• The lithium recovery rate (what percentage of lithium is able to be recovered from the brine using Lilac’s process)
• Lithium purity assessment
• Determination of lithium chloride chemical analysis
• Initial indications of reagent volumes used
• Indicative range of what operating expenses (“OPEX”) might be in a future commercial production facility
  

Based on the results of Stage 1 Engineering the Company may choose to continue to Stage 2 Engineering, which would involve significantly more brine volumes and time. Stage 2 Engineering would accomplish several things, including:

• Approximately three months of continuous lithium production at lab scale
• Refining of the initial OPEX numbers
• Establish process design criteria and complete lithium extraction test work for a Feasibility Study
• Define a tailored process flow diagram for a pilot plant at Tolillar Salar

Brad Nichol, President and CEO, commented, "Since recently establishing a treasury of more than $35 million, our primary focus on the Tolillar Salar has been on achieving production. This requires a trusted and proven DLE technology partner. It is crucially important to understand that DLE is a bespoke process which is unique to every operation and every salar. Ultimately, a successful DLE implementation will require an absolute understanding of the brine chemistry. Internally, our Beyond Lithium team has been working for months on developing its knowledge base of our brine through in-depth chemical analyses and benchtop studies. Now is the perfect time to combine our brine knowledge with the technology developed by Lilac, who have extensively studied dozens of brines from the Lithium Triangle. They are a well-funded, fast-growing company that has developed a proprietary ion exchange process capable of recovering 80% of the lithium on a timeline measured in hours, not years.”

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF ALPHA LITHIUM CORPORATION

“Brad Nichol”

Brad Nichol
President, CEO and Director

For more information:
Alpha Lithium Investor Relations
Tel: +1 844 592 6337
info@alphalithium.com

About Alpha Lithium (TSX.V: ALLI) (OTC: ALLIF) (Frankfurt: 2P62)

Alpha Lithium is a growing team of industry professionals and experienced stakeholders focused on the development of the Tolillar Salar. Together, we have assembled 100% ownership of what may be one of Argentina’s last undeveloped lithium salars, encompassing 27,500 hectares (67,954 acres), neighboring multi-billion-dollar lithium players in the heart of the renowned “Lithium Triangle”. Other companies in the area exploring for lithium brines or currently in production include Galaxy Lithium, Livent, and POSCO in Salar del Hombre Muerto; Orocobre in Salar Olaroz; Eramine SudAmerica S.A. in Salar de Centenario; and Gangfeng and Lithium Americas in Salar de Cauchari.

About Lilac Solutions Inc.

Lilac Solutions is a mining technology company based in Oakland, California. Lilac has developed a patented ion exchange technology that facilitates production of lithium from abundant brine resources with minimal cost and ultra-low environmental footprint. Lilac’s mission is to increase lithium supplies needed for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. Lilac recently raised $20 million led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures (Bill Gates), a $1 billion fund established by many of the world’s top business leaders, to support companies with the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Participation in the financing also included The Engine (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Lowercarbon Capital, and The Grantham Foundation.

Forward-Looking Statements

No securities regulatory authority has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.

This news release contains forward-looking statements and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include the failure to satisfy the conditions of the relevant securities exchange(s) and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FAQ

What is Alpha Lithium Corporation's stock symbol?

Alpha Lithium Corporation's stock symbol is ALLIF.

What is the purpose of Alpha Lithium's engagement with Lilac Solutions?

Alpha Lithium engaged Lilac Solutions to conduct initial engineering work for Direct Lithium Extraction from its Tolillar Salar.

What are the expected outcomes from the engineering work with Lilac Solutions?

The work aims to determine lithium recovery rates, purity, and operating costs for future production.

How much funding does Alpha Lithium currently have?

Alpha Lithium has established a treasury of more than $35 million.

What technology is Lilac Solutions utilizing for lithium extraction?

Lilac Solutions uses a proprietary ion exchange process for lithium extraction from brine.