PERTH (miningweekly.com) – ASX-listed Vulcan Energy has started the commissioning of its lithium extraction optimisation plant (LEOP) at its Zero Carbon lithium project, in Germany.

The commissioning phase for LEOP is expected to run until October, when first brine will be introduced into the plant for the lithium extraction process to begin. The LEOP will have the capacity to produce approximately 100 t/y of lithium chloride solution.

Vulcan commenced building its LEOP in 2022, designed as an optimisation, operational training and product qualification facility to enable commercial operational readiness for the end of 2025. The plant succeeds Vulcan’s pilot plant, which successfully operated for 2.5 years, producing lithium chloride from Vulcan’s producing well sites.

“The commencement of the commissioning of our LEOP facility represents a significant milestone for us, as well as the entire European battery industry. By 2030, Europe is likely to face a significant lithium shortage, which could have serious implications for the European battery and automotive industries if domestic supplies are not realised,” said Vulcan CEO Cris Moreno.

“Vulcan is gearing up to be the first to produce lithium from Europe, for Europe, but also to be the first company worldwide to produce carbon neutral lithium. The start of the commissioning of our LEOP facility is a key step toward the implementation of Phase 1 of our Zero Carbon lithium project, and in enabling a secure and independent European supply chain for lithium.

“This is a great achievement of a determined team. Our pilot plants have already demonstrated the capability of A-DLE, a technology that has been commercially in use globally for decades, on our brines. With this determination, we will continue to advance in the coming months, driving the mobility transition in Europe, and serving as an inspiring example of what is possible, pioneering a carbon-free future. “