As of the latest update, power has been fed to the plant for the first time through the main switchboard. The main building and utility systems have also been completed to allow the first energizations to take place.
CLEOP is the Company’s pre-commercial downstream optimisation plant where lithium chloride from the company’s upstream operations will be converted to battery-grade LHM. Vulcan will use the CLEOP facility to train personnel and optimise processes in a pre-commercial setting ahead of construction of the commercial CLP. The Company also expects LHM production from CLEOP will allow for significant progress in LHM product qualification required by offtake partners, reducing the potential for delay and fast-tracking product to market once commercial production has commenced.
Earlier this year, Vulcan announced the first production of lithium chloride from the LEOP facility in Landau. arly results using the Adsorption-type Direct Lithium Extraction (A-DLE) unit indicates lithium extraction efficiency that is consistently over 90%, in line with commercial plant expectations and Vulcan’s financing model.
“The start of commissioning of Vulcan’s downstream lithium optimisation facility is a significant milestone for Europe’s critical raw material independence, and for its electric vehicle supply chain independence.” said Cris Moreno, CEO and Managing Director of Vulcan.
“In the coming months, Vulcan will begin to transport the first LiCl parcels from our upstream facility through to CLEOP for production of the first battery-grade lithium hydroxide products in Europe, all from a European lithium resource.”
