Lithium extraction technology to be tested at the Lazio region, Italy

Geothermal Ranking of the Italian Territories (Source: Altamin release via Cataldi et Al, 1995)

UK-based Watercycle Technologies has signed an agreement with Energia Minerals Srl (Energia) from Energia’s geothermal exploration license areas in the Lazio region of central Italy. The geothermal brine in the study area will be tested using Watercycle’s proprietary Direct Lithium Extraction and Crystallization (DLEC) technology.

Energia is a subsidiary Altamin, a mining company listed in the Australian Stock Exchange. In early 2022, Altamin was granted two exploration licenses (ELs) in the Lazio administrative region. These licenses, located at Cesano, were highly sought because of geothermal brines with high prospects for lithium extraction.

Watercycle’s patented filtration process is currently being piloted in tandem with Cornish Lithium at the company’s Cornwall site. The DLEC process is capable of treating a wide range of water types and has already been proven to be able to selectively extract lithium from sub-surface brine.

Under the agreement, Watercycle will test brines from a borehole in Italy to understand its composition. The company will then fabricate membranes according to this chemistry. A quantity of the brine will then be treat to the DLEC process, after which both the lithium-rich and de-lithiated brine streams will be analyzed.

Watercycle will also process the lithium-rich solution to produce lithium carbonate salts. This is a key difference of the process of Watercycle compared to other standard direct lithium extraction processes. If the test is successful, Watercycle and Energia will examine the potential for putting up a large-scale pilot testing facility in Italy.

“We are delighted to be working with Energia Minerals who have recognised the potential of our unique approach to lithium extraction from brines. This agreement is a further validation of our proprietary membranes and processes, which are gaining increasing traction both nationally and internationally. Each brine has different characteristics, and it is part of our development model to test multiple brines to further prove the efficacy of our technology and provide leading-edge, sustainable solutions for lithium and critical mineral extraction from them,” said Watercycle CEO Dr. Seb Leaper.

Source: IM Mining