Infinity Lithium Corporation has continued its chase for the rights to mine lithium and establish a conversion facility to upgrade its product at its San José project in Spain by formally lodging an application with the local Extremadura Government.
The company says it has lodged an exploitation concession application (ECA) for San José with the regional government of Extremadura and its mines department. The ECA submission includes the rights to mine lithium and develop an accompanying on-site lithium chemical conversion facility at the site in the remote and mountainous western Spanish region that borders Portugal.
The ability to provide chemical conversion on-site could enable the company to cost-effectively deliver a higher-value end product to the electric vehicle (EV) market.
Infinity’s completed submission and lodgement of its relevant paperwork kickstarts the administrative process and involves the subsequent assessment of a viable resource at San José by Extremadura’s mines department.
The ECA submission has taken place within one year of the company’s exploration permit in Extremadura being granted and involves a multi-stage process involving continued interaction with the regional government.
Infinity says ongoing collaboration with government and relevant departments will continue throughout the process and it is expected to involve a series of department reviews and public consultations. Further documentation including the all-important mining licence application, in addition to environmental, rehabilitation and financial submissions, will be a part of the process.
The company says it will continue to consult with local and regional stakeholders during the ECA period.
Infinity Lithium Corporation managing director and chief executive officer Ryan Parkin said: “We are pleased to have collaborated with relevant authorities to successfully implement the permitting strategy and submission of a Direct Exploitation Concession Application. The lodgement of the ECA notification represents a significant milestone for the Project and formalises the next stage of project momentum.”
The Extremadura government has previously revealed stimulus measures to confirm its commitment to lithium projects in the region and has provided legal guarantees to help smooth the path for the processing of the much sought-after critical battery metal.
Its announcements followed the Constitutional Court of Spain declaring its belief that the exploitation of lithium mineral resources in the Extremadura territory was in the area’s best interests. That suggested it would support lithium businesses being developed in the area.
San Jose is eligible for and may qualify as a project of general and regional interest under Extremadura’s “PREMIA” project classification that is designed to fast-track applications. Such applications are assessed by the relevant department based on the economic benefits provided and could lead to accelerated permitting if successful.
Infinity has an existing mineral resource of 111.3 million tonnes grading 0.61 per cent lithium oxide and 206 parts per million tin at the project, where it has a 75 per cent interest. The resource is the second-biggest JORC-compliant hard rock lithium deposit in the European Union (EU).
The Spanish Government has previously flagged the project as a “strategic asset” and a resource of this size would play an essential role in the EU’s formation of a reliable battery-supply chain and ensure availability of the required critical minerals needed for the transition towards EVs.
With Infinity now well and truly on the pathway in its push for Spanish lithium, there may well be no future limits for this mining junior.
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By Craig Nolan
