PERTH (miningweekly.com) – ASX- and FSE-listed Vulcan Energy Resources is on track for the September commissioning of its lithium extraction optimisation plant (LEOP) at its Zero Carbon lithium project, in Germany.

The company on Thursday reported that following commissioning of the LEOP, Europe’s first tonnes of lithium chloride concentrate would be produced, with the milestone also marking the first tonnes of lithium produced using the commercially proven method of sorption-type direct lithium extraction (DLE) driven by renewable heat instead of fossil gas.

LEOP will supply lithium chloride to Vulcan’s downstream optimisation plant which will produce the final lithium hydroxide product.

“Enabled by our strong cash position, we are making steady, methodical progress towards the execution of the Zero Carbon lithium project. With the final sprint to finish to mechanical completion of our LEOP and negotiation of key contracts for commercial Phase 1, there is a hive of activity on the ground,” said Vulcan MD and CE Dr Francis Wedin.

“We are fortunate to be joined by some highly motivated, highly skilled project execution professionals from the O&G and chemicals industries, deploying their considerable experience towards decarbonization, electrification and supply chain security in the West. Completing our optimisation plant and starting operations in the coming weeks and months will represent the culmination of over five years’ work on the Zero Carbon lithium project, and the birth of an entirely new domestic lithium industry in Germany and Europe, which we are very excited to share with our stakeholders.

The €1.49-billion Phase 1 Zero Carbon lithium project is targeting 240 000 t/y of lithium hydroxide monohydrate production, with more than 300 GWh/y of renewable power and more than 250 GWh/y of renewable heat production.