Lithium South Development Corporation (TSXV: LIS) (OTCQB: LISMF) (Frankfurt: OGPQ) successfully pulled lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) directly from concentrated brine at its Hombre Muerto North Lithium Project (HMN Li Project) in Salta Province, Argentina.
The company revealed this development during a Thursday update regarding test work, on site development work and other business developments.
The patent-pending laboratory process produced a LiFePO4 product directly from lithium chloride, eliminating the need for lithium carbonate. Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) and other companies are utilizing LiFePO4 batteries due to their lower manufacturing costs, long cycle life, and high power density.
LFP batteries are cobalt-free and are increasingly in demand for utility-scale stationary applications as well as in the electric vehicle market. The demand for these batteries is also expected to rise considerably in the coming years.
An independent laboratory in Salta, Argentina, conducted the test work in cooperation with the team. The product was then sent to the Research and Development Center for Advanced Materials and Energy Storage (CIDMEJu) in Jujuy province, Argentina.
At this facility, the team constructed a basic operating button-type battery using the HMN Li Project’s LiFePO4 product. This facility is part of CONICET, the National Scientific and Technical Research Council, an Argentine government agency that directs and coordinates most of the technical and scientific research conducted in Argentine universities and institutes.
The LiFePO4 battery test work helps define potential options for producing higher-priced value-added lithium products. The team is also continuing evaporation test work at the HMN Li Project site as part of the process validation for the planned feasibility study.
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Lithium South is planning a second pump test
At the HMN Li Project’s Alba Sabrina claim block, the team is planning a second phase pump test for well PW23-AS-02, a 400-meter-deep production well.
Additionally, recent test work has shown a good pumping rate from a single pump, leading to the decision to use two pumps in the same hole to provide additional brine lift and fully evaluate the well’s pumping capacity.
The company is currently acquiring two new pumps and support equipment to continue the test work. The company also plans to conduct new pumping tests on the Tramo and Natalia Maria claim blocks.
Management is actively discussing potential strategic alliances or business arrangements with several automotive and lithium industry corporations. Despite a challenging market environment, interest in the project remains high. These discussions include a bulk sample site visit planned for one interested party in September.
Furthermore, management continues to observe a trading blackout due to continuing negotiations with lithium industry participants.
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