Infinity Lithium Corporation's subsidiary Infinity GreenTech has inked a deal with Murdoch University that will see the duo as partners to commercially test work on a lithium chemical conversion process called ‘GreenTech RPK’.
According to the company, a victory in the space could allow it to breathe new life into previously-unviable lithium deposits and turbocharge the economics and environmental credentials of a number of global projects, including its venture in San José, Spain.
The initiative will be largely driven by Infinity’s Chief Technology Officer Jon Starink and lithium processing specialist Dr David Maree.
The duo will interact with Murdoch's Mineralogy, Isotope Geochemistry and Extractive Metallurgy department leaning on the university’s cutting-edge research facilities to deliver the goods.
Importantly, following the successful filing of provisional patent applications, Infinity GreenTech will maintain full rights to the intellectual property developed under the agreement.
According to the company, the first stage of the testing will expand on the results of previous bench scale work and will be focused on identifying the optimal processing conditions for lithium extraction.
Infinity says the initial stage of work could be completed as early as Q2 2022.
Earlier bench scale tests indicated that 60 to 70 per cent of lithium could be recovered from run-of-mine feedstock using open-circuit direct processing without optimisation.
Interestingly, the company has stated Murdoch’s facilities can accommodate a wider range of test conditions than those completed to-date, potentially opening the door for even better lithium recovery rates.
Low-grade lithium carrying minerals, such as lithium micas lepidolite and lithium hectorite clays, are anticipated to be the emphasis of the extended test work campaign.
In addition, Infinity GreenTech says it has ordered a suite of bench and pilot scale equipment that could facilitate the investigation of a broader range of conditions at a larger scale.
The equipment, once operational, will speed up bench scale research and development work.
The company says the hardware could also allow it to test its GreenTech RPK process on spodumene bearing ores and concentrates in conjunction with lepidolite and lithium hectorite clays.
In comparison to traditional lithium chemical conversion processes, the GreenTech RPK lithium conversion process features significant environmental benefits, including the potential use of renewable energies and reduced processing times driving down energy use.
In tandem to the Murdoch processing agreement, the company is also chipping away at its sulphate-roast process technology that forms the cornerstone of its San José Lithium project in Spain.
Infinity says the successful deployment of GreenTech RPK could introduce additional revenue streams to its roster in the form of licencing or royalty payments from companies looking to utilise the technology.
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By Matt Birney
