Standard Lithium Advances Project Pipeline as It Commences Preliminary Feasibility Study at Its South West Arkansas Lithium Project

Rhea-AI Summary

Standard Lithium Ltd. (SLI) has launched a Preliminary Feasibility Study (PFS) for its South West Arkansas Lithium Project, following a favorable Preliminary Economic Assessment. This study aims to integrate brine supply and treatment along with a Direct Lithium Extraction plant using proprietary LiSTR technology. The PFS will be led by HGA and aims to complete by Q1 2023. The new project aims to establish a commercial lithium operation in the U.S. after a six-decade hiatus, aligning with growing demand for lithium in North America.

Positive

• Commencement of PFS indicates strong project economics and favorable fundamentals.
• Successful completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment boosted confidence.
• Engagement of leading consultants to ensure comprehensive study execution.

Negative

• None.

EL DORADO, Ark., May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Standard Lithium Ltd. (“Standard Lithium” or the “Company”) (TSXV: SLI) (NYSE American: SLI) (FRA: S5L), an innovative technology and lithium project development company, today announced the commencement of a Preliminary Feasibility Study (PFS) at its South West Arkansas Lithium Project (the “Project”), which is located approximately 35 miles west of the Company’s Lanxess project.

Standard Lithium recently completed a Preliminary Economic Assessment at the Project (see Company news release Nov 26, 2021), and on the basis of positive project economics and favorable project fundamentals, the Company has commissioned a team of technical experts to complete a NI43-101 compliant PFS for the Project. The PFS will consider an integrated project including; brine supply and injection wells, pipelines and brine treatment infrastructure, a Direct Lithium Extraction (“DLE”) plant using the Company’s proprietary LiSTR technology, and a lithium chloride to lithium hydroxide conversion plant.

Dr. Andy Robinson, President and COO of Standard Lithium commented “following the key investment from Koch Strategic Platforms in Q4 2021, we’ve been able to grow our team with additional technical and management strength. Now we can manage and drive multiple projects in parallel. The commencement of this comprehensive PFS is a testament to the Company’s ambition to not only bring the first new commercial lithium project into production in the United States in six decades, but also to have a robust pipeline of subsequent projects that will serve the future demand for lithium chemicals in North America. We have assembled a broad team of consultants, technical advisors and subject matter experts to complete all the necessary work for this PFS, and we will also be working hand in hand with our strategic and project partners to ensure successful execution. We expect to complete the bulk of the work through the balance of 2022, with completion and reporting of the results of the PFS in Q1 2023.”

Standard Lithium has engaged Hunt, Guillot & Associates from Ruston, Louisiana (“HGA”) as the lead consultant, to prepare and coordinate the PFS with support of a multi-disciplinary technical team. The work program to support the PFS will consist of the following:

• Reentry of existing wells across Standard Lithium’s brine lease area to obtain new representative brine samples from the Smackover Formation;
• Reperforation of existing wells, where feasible, to obtain discrete depth-specific brine samples from previously unsampled zones of the Smackover;
• Drilling of a new well in a key location to complete data coverage across the Company’s brine lease area;
• Long duration pumping tests from selected wells to test hydrogeological and reservoir conditions for brine extraction and reinjection;
• Collection of large volume brine samples during pumping tests to allow the South West Project brine to be processed through Standard Lithium’s proprietary LiSTR DLE process;
• Acquisition and reprocessing of additional 2D seismic data across and adjacent to the Company’s brine leases;
• Generation of a new 3D reservoir model to determine an updated in-situ lithium resource, and extraction/reinjection production plans for the commercial facility;
• Completion of several Pilot Studies with technology partners to test the lithium chloride to lithium hydroxide conversion process at sufficient scale and duration. These studies will be completed using LiCl produced by the Company’s operating LiSTR Demonstration Plant;
• Updated capital costs (AACE Class 4 estimate +45/-25%) for a similar 30,000 tonnes per annum lithium hydroxide facility as previously contemplated by the PEA;
• Operating costs updated and benefited by the data gathered during 2+ years of continuous operation of the LiSTR Demonstration Plant in Union County, Arkansas; and,
• Fully updated project economics using revised future pricing for lithium hydroxide produced and delivered in North America.
  

Quality Assurance
Steve Ross, P.Geol., a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the relevant scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release. Mr. Ross is a consultant to the Company.

About Standard Lithium Ltd.
Standard Lithium is an innovative technology and lithium development company. The Company’s flagship project is located in southern Arkansas, where it is engaged in the testing and proving of the commercial viability of lithium extraction from over 150,000 acres of permitted brine operations. The Company operates its first-of-a-kind industrial-scale Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) demonstration plant at Lanxess’s south plant facility in southern Arkansas. The demonstration plant utilizes the Company’s proprietary LiSTR technology to selectively extract lithium from Lanxess’s tail brine. The demonstration plant is being used for proof-of-concept and commercial feasibility studies. The scalable, environmentally friendly process eliminates the use of evaporation ponds, reduces processing time from months to hours and greatly increases the effective recovery of lithium. The Company is also pursuing the resource development of over 30,000 acres of separate brine leases located in southwest Arkansas, referred to as the South West Arkansas Lithium Project, and approximately 45,000 acres of mineral leases located in the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California.

Standard Lithium is jointly listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and the NYSE American under the trading symbol “SLI”; and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol “S5L”. Please visit the Company’s website at https://www.standardlithium.com.

On behalf of the Board of Standard Lithium Ltd.
Robert Mintak, CEO & Director

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain certain “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “target, “plan”, “forecast”, “may”, “schedule” and other similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to future prices of commodities, accuracy of mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral properties or infrastructure, fluctuations in the market for lithium and its derivatives, changes in exploration costs and government regulation in Canada and the United States, and other factors or information. Such statements represent the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affections such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. 

FAQ

What is Standard Lithium's new project in Arkansas?

Standard Lithium is conducting a Preliminary Feasibility Study for its South West Arkansas Lithium Project, focusing on lithium extraction.

What technology is being used in the South West Arkansas Lithium Project?

The project will utilize a Direct Lithium Extraction plant using Standard Lithium's proprietary LiSTR technology.

When is the Preliminary Feasibility Study expected to be completed?

The PFS is expected to be completed and reported by Q1 2023.

What does the engagement of HGA signify for Standard Lithium?

HGA's engagement as the lead consultant indicates a strategic move to ensure technical expertise in the PFS.

What are the key components of the Preliminary Feasibility Study?

The PFS will include brine supply infrastructure, a DLE plant, and lithium conversion processes.