E3 Lithium Successfully Commissions Lithium Carbonate Reactors in the Lab for Use in Field Demonstration

Rhea-AI Summary

E3 Lithium (TSXV: ETL) (FSE: OW3) (OTCQX: EEMMF), a Canadian lithium leader, has successfully commissioned demo scale carbonate conversion reactors in its lab. This achievement enables the company to produce lithium carbonate using small-scale equipment that mimics commercial system conditions. The reactors will be used in a planned demonstration facility, with the lab work confirming operational parameters beforehand.

The company has expanded its Calgary-based lab to include advanced equipment for producing battery-grade lithium carbonate. Future work will focus on optimization and scaling up production efficiently. This development enhances E3 Lithium's capabilities from advancing Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) to producing battery-grade lithium carbonate, supporting its goal of establishing a reliable lithium production facility in Alberta, Canada.

Positive

• Successfully commissioned demo scale carbonate conversion reactors
• Expanded in-house capabilities to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate
• Enhanced ability to scale up production efficiently
• Strengthened position to establish a reliable lithium supply in Alberta

Negative

• None.

CALGARY, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- E3 LITHIUM LTD. (TSXV: ETL) (FSE: OW3) (OTCQX: EEMMF), “E3 Lithium” or the “Company,” a leader in Canadian lithium, is pleased to announce the successful commissioning of its demo scale carbonate conversion reactors. This allows the Company to produce lithium carbonate using similar, yet small-scale equipment operating at the same temperature and chemical operating conditions as a commercial system. The ability to produce reliable battery grade lithium carbonate is a significant step forward in the Company’s efforts to establish a reliable lithium production facility in Alberta, Canada.

The reactors will eventually be used in the previously announced demonstration facility. The goal is to confirm the operational parameters in the lab ahead of the demo being commissioned on site. The commissioning of the carbonation reactors involved a series of tests that confirmed its efficiency and reliability, consistently meeting the required reaction conditions. This comes following E3 Lithium’s expansion to its Calgary-based lab to incorporate advanced equipment with the goal of producing battery-grade lithium carbonate. The lab has focused on the procurement of the equipment and the development of the processes and procedures to ensure safe and efficient operations. Future test work will center around optimization, enhancing the Company’s ability to scale up production efficiently while prioritizing accuracy, cost-effectiveness and operational flexibility, aiming for the production of battery grade lithium carbonate from E3 Lithium’s concentrate generated at the pilot last year.

“This achievement expands our in-house capabilities from advancing DLE to producing battery grade lithium carbonate,” said Chris Doornbos, President and CEO of E3 Lithium. “By expanding our Calgary lab with advanced equipment and know-how for producing battery-grade lithium carbonate, E3 can advance its engineering initiatives with more efficiency and lower cost. These developments strengthen E3’s ability to establish a reliable and competitive lithium supply in Alberta that will help with the increasing demand for battery-grade lithium in North America.”

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chris Doornbos, President & CEO
E3 Lithium Ltd.

About E3 Lithium

E3 Lithium is a development company with a total of 16.2 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) Measured and Indicated ¹ as well as 0.9 million tonnes LCE Inferred mineral resources² in Alberta and 2.5 million tonnes LCE Inferred mineral resources³ in Saskatchewan. The Clearwater Pre-Feasibility Study outlined a 1.13 Mt LCE proven and probable mineral reserve with a pre-tax NPV8% of USD 5.2 Billion with a 29.2% IRR and an after-tax NPV8% of USD 3.7 Billion with a 24.6% IRR¹. E3 Lithium’s goal is to produce high purity, battery grade lithium products to power the growing electrical revolution. With a significant lithium resource and innovative technology solutions, E3 Lithium has the potential to deliver lithium to market from one of the best jurisdictions in the world.

1: The Clearwater Project NI 43-101 Pre-Feasibility Study, effective June 20, 2024, is available on the E3 Lithium’s website (https://e3lithium.ca/our-assets/technical-reports/) and SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).

2: The mineral resource NI 43-101 Technical Report for the North Rocky Property, effective October 27, 2017, identified 0.9 Mt LCE (inferred) and is available on the E3 Lithium’s website (e3lithium.ca/technical-reports) and SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).

3: The mineral resource NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Estevan Lithium District, effective May 23, 2024, identified 2.5 Mt LCE (inferred) and is available on the E3 Lithium’s website (e3lithium.ca/technical-reports) and SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements as well as management’s objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as “believe”, “may”, “will”, “plan”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “intend”, “project”, “potential”, “possible” and similar words referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions, expectations, estimates and assumptions of management in light of its experience, perception of historical trends, and results of the PFS, but such statements are not guarantees of future performance. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information relating to: the estimated mineral resources and mineral resources at the Clearwater Project; expectations regarding the PFS, including statements regarding the results of the PFS and interpretations thereof; expectations concerning the Clearwater Project, including extraction, production, pretreatment, purification, volume reduction and conversion process and features and the expected outcomes thereof; the expected economic performance of the Clearwater Project, including capital costs, operating costs, water usage, land use and carbon emissions; statements regarding the Company’s strategy for minimizing environmental impact and liquid waste and maximizing water reuse, with no planned tailings or waste piles; the potential for a secondary revenue stream should the Company be able to sell the calcium carbonate generated during the production of lithium hydroxide; plans and objectives of management for the Company’s operations and the Clearwater Project; and the inherent hazards associated with mineral exploration and mining operations. In preparing the forward-looking information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, that any additional financing needed will be available on reasonable terms; the exchange rates for the U.S. and Canadian currencies will be consistent with the Company’s expectations; that the current exploration, development, environmental and other objectives concerning the Clearwater Project can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected; that the current price and demand for lithium will be sustained or will improve; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner and that all necessary governmental approvals for the planned activities on the Clearwater Project will be obtained in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; the continuity of the price of lithium.

All forward-looking information (including future-orientated financial information) is inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, the effectiveness and feasibility of emerging lithium extraction technologies which have not yet been tested or proven on a commercial scale or on the Company’s brine, risks related to the availability of financing on commercially reasonable terms and the expected use of proceeds; operations and contractual obligations; changes in estimated mineral reserves or mineral resources; future prices of lithium and other metals; availability of third party contractors; availability of equipment; failure of equipment to operate as anticipated; accidents, effects of weather and other natural phenomena and other risks associated with the mineral exploration industry; the Company’s lack of operating revenues; currency fluctuations; risks related to dependence on key personnel; estimates used in financial statements proving to be incorrect; competitive risks and the availability of financing, as described in more detail in our recent securities filings available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and we caution against placing undue reliance thereon. We assume no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240926697742/en/

E3 Lithium - Investor and Media Relations

Alexis de la Renaudiere

Investor Relations

investor@e3lithium.ca

587-324-2775

Source: E3 Lithium Ltd.

FAQ

What recent achievement has E3 Lithium (EEMMF) announced?

E3 Lithium has successfully commissioned demo scale carbonate conversion reactors in its lab, enabling the production of lithium carbonate using small-scale equipment that mimics commercial system conditions.

How will E3 Lithium (EEMMF) use the newly commissioned reactors?

The reactors will be used in a planned demonstration facility, with the current lab work confirming operational parameters before on-site commissioning.

What is the focus of E3 Lithium's (EEMMF) future test work?

Future test work will center around optimization, enhancing the company's ability to scale up production efficiently while aiming for the production of battery-grade lithium carbonate.

How does this development impact E3 Lithium's (EEMMF) capabilities?

This achievement expands E3 Lithium's in-house capabilities from advancing Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) to producing battery-grade lithium carbonate, strengthening its ability to establish a reliable lithium supply in Alberta.