Lithium Universe Limited is pleased to announce that has appointed Hatch Ltd to undertake an engineering study for the design of a multi-purpose battery-grade lithium carbonate refinery, which will form part of the Company Québec Lithium Processing Hub (QLPH) strategy. The Company is aiming to establish a major vertically integrated mine to battery grade lithium carbonate processing hub in Québec.
Hatch is a renowned global engineering company, boasting a vast network of over 15,000 professionals and operating in more than 150 countries worldwide. With its origins in Canada, Hatch has extensive experience in successfully delivering lithium-based projects in Québec and globally.
Hatch has more than 70 years of project delivery experience in Québec and has pioneered the use of modular construction in the region. Furthermore, Hatch was the engineering company responsible for the design and delivery of the 17,000 tpa Jiangsu Lithium Carbonate Plant, operated by Galaxy Resources Limited. Upon completion and commissioning, the plant became the world’s largest lithium refinery of its kind.
The Engineering Study will be aimed to define the process and non-process infrastructure requirements for a 16,000 tpa lithium carbonate refinery, as well as the definitive estimated capital and operating costs. The design will include the use of conventional kiln conversion of spodumene, sulphuric acid sulphation and leaching, impurity removal and final purification to battery-grade quality lithium carbonate, similar to that of the Jiangsu Lithium Carbonate Plant. Lithium Universe has brought together a strong team of lithium experts to assist in the execution of this strategy, noting that Mr Iggy Tan and Dr Jingyuan Liu previously worked with Hatch on the design, construction and commissioning of the Jiangsu Lithium Carbonate Plant.
The first part of the Engineering Study will be to determine the ideal location of the lithium refinery. Hatch has assigned a study team of industry-recognized experts, from its Brisbane, Perth, and Montreal offices to undertake this task, who will report to Dr. Jingyuan Liu, a recognised lithium expert in the global lithium industry, and Mr. John Loxton, Head of Lithium Refinery.