Prairie Lithium and LiEP Energy will initiate a two-stage pilot project to produce the key lithium-ion battery cathode material lithium hydroxide from oilfield brines in Canada.
Through a joint venture called the Prairie-LiEP Critical Mineral (PLCM) and pending regulatory permits, stage one of the project is expected to begin next month in Saskatchewan.
Stage two of the project is planned to begin in the second half of 2021 and will include the construction of one of Canada’s first lithium extraction and refining facilities.
Canadian firm Prairie and start-up LiEP are working with the government of Saskatchewan to ensure necessary environmental processes are completed through to commercialisation.
The firms have been working together since Q4 of 2019 when they upgraded raw oil field brine water, sourced from an Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) waterflood in Saskatchewan, into lithium hydroxide.
The entire process from raw brine to refined lithium product is anticipated to take under six hours.
Zach Maurer, president & CEO at Prairie, said: “We are incredibly excited to begin exploring the vast, untapped lithium enriched aquifers in Saskatchewan, and usher in a new era of opportunity for the energy sector.
“Associated with the electrification of vehicles and desire for energy storage, is a tidal wave of demand for lithium. Saskatchewan has a unique opportunity to enter the battery materials supply chain by utilizing skills and infrastructure that are already in place. The oil wells that have powered the automotive industry of the past, can continue to power the automotive industry of the future.”
Prairie is a Regina-based lithium exploration junior that holds more than 35,000 acres of exploration permits in Saskatchewan.
