The country formed five agreements with Russian and Chinese companies for the production of white gold in the salt flats using the aforementioned technology.
Lithium is assured of growing demand for the coming decades due to the development of the energy transition and electrification. At present, the main techniques for the production of white metal are evaporation and mining. Direct Extraction of Lithium (DLE), although a promising technology, is still largely in the experimental phase.
Bolivia has signed five agreements with Russian and Chinese companies for the production of lithium in the country's salt flats using EDL technologies. They are not unknown actors or those who are just starting out in this business. CATL, for example, of the Chinese consortium CBC, is the world's largest producer of lithium-ion batteries, with a 34% share of the global market. CITIC is another Chinese technology giant. The Russian Uraium One is part of the energy giant Rosatom.
The CBC consortium, made up of CATL, BRUNP and CMOC, announced that it will begin operations with an EDL technology plant that will have a capacity for 2,500 tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) per year. Then this will increase until reaching a volume of 25,000 tons per year.
Ek newspaper spoke about this technology with Salvador Beltrán, Research and Project Manager of Bolivian Lithium Deposits (YLB).
-What is the situation of Direct Lithium Extraction (EDL) currently around the world?
There is much expectation in the application of EDL direct lithium extraction technologies in the world, because this technology can treat brines with low lithium content and high recoveries, without the need to use evaporitic technologies. Currently, there is knowledge of an approximate production of 127,000 tons of lithium carbonate equivalent, mainly developed in China and Argentina. Several countries are betting on pilot tests in their salt flats and there are also projects to implement industrial plants in the United States, Argentina, Chile, Canada, and Germany with a total estimated capacity of 500,000 tons of LCE. Likewise, there are many new projects of lesser capacity for the confirmation of EDL technology in the mentioned countries.
-What are the most advanced EDL projects with the greatest results currently and what companies are developing them?
The most advanced projects are in China with the companies Lanke Lithium and Zangge Lithium, based on sorbent technology that produces 20,000 tons of LCE per year. In Latin America there is the company Livent, in the Hombre Muerto salt flat, in Argentina, which planned an expansion of its plant to 80,000 tons of LCE.
-What is the price environment in which it becomes attractive to develop EDL projects? At what prices are production costs covered with this technology?
An approximate opex value for the production of lithium carbonate with EDL technology is between US$ 2,800 and US$ 3,600 per ton, but these may vary depending on the location, the quality of the raw material, the cost of supply, transportation and others. . EDL technology is applicable in brines in which evaporitic technologies cannot be applied, due to the high content of Magnesium, Sodium and other impurities. Evaporitic technology is only applicable for brines of acceptable quality in concentration and impurities, however EDL technology can be applicable to various types of brines and opens the possibility of increasing lithium production.
-What is the current situation of the EDL plants in Bolivia?
Currently, five agreements have been signed for the demonstration of EDL technology in the salt flats of Uyuni, Pastos Grandes, for the development of projects at a pilot level and at an industrial level with several companies (CBC, CITIC and URANIUM GROUP). The three companies are already in the final phase to complete the exploration, hydrogeological, and environmental impact studies and are preparing consultations for socialization and presentation of results. When these are delivered in engineering folders, contracts will be negotiated that will subsequently be submitted to the Plurinational Legislative Assembly for approval according to the current regulations in force. Additionally, in the current administration a new call was launched for participants to participate in a technology selection for the EDL. Initially they will demonstrate their technology in their countries of origin with a modular test, once this is done with their technology they will move on to tests with pilot plants with brine from the Uyuni, Coipasa, Pastos Grandes and other smaller salt flats.
-How do you plan to scale production?
The EDL technology requires testing with salt brine, which is why it is necessary to implement a pilot plant that will evaluate and resolve gaps that may exist in the process, operation or others that may generate risks in industrial plants. The pilot plants can be from 500 to 2,500 tons of LCE per year, depending on the level of investment to be made and the level of insurance of the industrial plants.
-What is the current situation of the development of EDL technology in CITIC?
Currently CITIC has production units with an annual production of 300,000 tons of potassium sulfate, 30,000 tons of battery-grade lithium carbonate, 10,000 tons of refined boric acid, and has carried out the comprehensive exploitation of the resources of the Taijinar Salt Flat. West.
-What are the main characteristics of the EDL developed by CITIC? What are the main strengths and what are the critical points of this technology?
Among the main characteristics, CITIC uses the process of ionic adsorption and membrane treatment. It is also a mature company with the use of this technology because it already has industrial production of lithium carbonate with EDL technology. Among its strengths and critical points, we can mention that the CITIC company uses the process of ionic adsorption and membrane treatment with a recovery in the adsorption stage of approximately 90%. This technology can treat brines with low lithium content, in addition to CITIC already has the industrial experience of LCE production. The CITIC company can treat brine directly from the well, it does not require brine preconcentration stages, that is, it does not require evaporation pools for the brine that enters the plant. In the weaknesses, as in any company, you will have to deal with process gaps or unforeseen events that may occur with the supply of services (electric energy, fuel, water, chemical reagents and others), the reinjection of the brine that requires a study particular to avoid or minimize the impact on the lithium resource.
-How much lithium is CITIC currently producing with EDL?
From 2006 to present, there is a 10,000-ton plant with calcining (mining) technology. From 2021, a 2,000-ton plant with adsorption technology. Starting in 2023, a 20,000-ton plant with membrane technology. Finally, since November 2023, there is a 15,000 tons per year plant with adsorption technology.
