Grounded Lithium Corp. has provided an update on its direct lithium extraction (“DLE“) selection process. The company selected two technology firms, which were deemed the most applicable for the specific brine chemistry, to test Kindersley Lithium Project brine (“KLP Brine“). Large volumes of KLP Brine were shipped earlier in the month to both labs and extraction testing commenced in parallel.
As part of the initial gating process both labs independently tested the KLP Brine for qualities and impurities to provide a baseline assessment and characterization. In both cases, concentrations met or exceeded the concentrations previously communicated by the Company of 74-81 mg/l of lithium, providing support to conduct fulsome extraction technology testing which is now nearing completion. Measured lithium concentrations for characterization purposes averaged 80 mg/l. Samples provided to both DLE labs were sourced from the Company’s first initial lithium test well at 4-15-32-23W3 (the “4-15 Well“), specifically brine was collected throughout the open hole section from 966m to 1145m. Grounded produced sufficient quantities of brine from the 4-15 Well during production testing in November 2022 and securely stored those samples at a facility in the Kindersley area.
The Company also delivered KLP Brine samples to a third independent Alberta lab, Isobrine Solutions (“Isobrine“), which offers specialized and rigorous brine evaluation. Isobrine evolved as a start-up company from the University of Alberta approximately 20 years ago. Isobrine received KLP Brine and performed controlled testing on our brine with an observed lithium concentration of 78 mg/l. This represents a 5% increase over the concentrations previously used in our National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report for lithium carbonate equivalent inferred resources. This increase is expected to aid in overall project economics and additional resource assessments.
These results continue to support a potentially economic project particularly when paired with proven well deliverability. The Company is expecting to be in a position to communicate our preferred DLE vendor in the coming weeks. The chosen DLE technology will be included in the Company’s maiden preliminary economic assessment on the Kindersley Lithium Project, expected to be filed on or before the end of Q2 2023.