ZInnwald Lithium, which is working to develop the integrated Zinnwald lithium project in Germany, has confirmed work on its beneficiation plant concept is continuing with partner Metso as it advances the project near Dredsen.
The project, being designed to supply battery-grade lithium hydroxide (LiOH) to the battery sector, has been moving forward since early 2022, when the company first brought on Metso for its definitive feasibility study.
The two companies have since been working on developing a successful beneficiation process flowsheet based on a complete mineralogical study, batch, and locked cycle tests. The design basis of the tests considers the mixture of two distinctive lithium ore types, alibite granite and quartz mica greisen, potentially expanding the resource base considerably.
Zinnwald CEO Anton du Plessis noted that achieving resilience and sustainability for the electric vehicle battery supply chain is essential, as Europe is expecting more than 30 new gigafactories by 2030.
“Our vision is to build a world-leading integrated lithium hydroxide operation to support this supply chain, adhering to the highest environmental standards. We are therefore delighted with the progress being made with Metso as we look to design the best possible particle sorting, otherwise known as the beneficiation process, for the plant,” he said.
“After the completion of the beneficiation pilot, we will start refinement of the calcination and hydrometallurgical flowsheet. We have partnered with Metso to develop and deliver this project as a ‘one-stop shop’ to reduce the need for engagement with multiple suppliers and to maximize in-house expertise in the design of the plant from run-of-mine to the battery-grade final product.”
Mikko Rantaharju, vice president, Hydrometallurgy at Metso, added: “Development and supply of state-of-the-art, sustainable processes and equipment for the critical minerals required for the electric vehicle supply chain is an essential part of our minerals processing expertise.”
Source: Metso