US-based direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology developer Lilac Solutions has announced that its Generation 4 ion exchange (IX) technology is a key driver of improved results presented in Lake Resources’ updated definitive feasibility study (DFS Addendum) for the Kachi Lithium Project in Argentina.
Lilac says its Gen 4 technology delivers a 10% increase in lithium recovery, to 90%, and reductions in capital and operating costs, while maintaining impurity rejection of 99.9%.
It reduces DLE unit capital expenditure by $98 million and DLE unit operating expenditure by $508 per ton of LCE, resulting in total project capital savings of approximately $160 million, which includes secondary impacts from Lilac’s technology advancements.
The updated study also reflects an increase in the brine grade from 205 mg/L to 249 mg/L, further improving process efficiency and economics.
Lilac’s Gen 4 IX technology delivers higher lithium recovery and process efficiency. Recovery optimized for commercial-scale economics has increased to 90%, reducing feed and reinjection volumes by 30% combined with higher brine grade, supporting higher reserve estimates.
Greater durability doubles the operational life of IX media and reduces reagent consumption. Improved throughput and system design require 50% fewer IX modules, cutting package costs by 39%.
Power demand at the site has been reduced—from 82 MW to 57 MW—through enhanced process efficiency and implementation of the Gen 4 technology. This helps offset rising utility costs in a remote location where power accounts for over half of total operating expenses.
Gen 4 IX technology was successfully demonstrated at Lilac’s Jujuy plant in Argentina on similar brine chemistry.
Lilac is advancing its first commercial project at the Great Salt Lake in Utah. The company continues to partner with resource developers to unlock lithium supply from brine resources that were previously considered uneconomic.
“The updated Kachi DFS is a strong validation of the advances we’ve made with our Gen 4 technology,” said Raef Sully, CEO of Lilac. “We’re really pleased with these results, which show how our technology can deliver the recovery, cost structure, and sustainability needed to make brine resources commercially viable. And we’re not stopping here — our team is continuing to push the boundaries of what our technology can achieve as we work to unlock new lithium supply.”
Source: Lilac Solutions