Zinnwald Lithium and Metso Advance Lithium Hydroxide Project in Germany

Zinnwald Lithium and Metso Advance Lithium Hydroxide Project in Germany

(IN BRIEF) Zinnwald Lithium Plc (“Zinnwald Lithium”) and Metso are making significant progress in developing a beneficiation plant concept for the Zinnwald Lithium Project, located near Dresden, Germany. This project aims to supply battery-grade lithium hydroxide (LiOH) to the European battery sector, strategically positioned within Europe’s chemical and automotive industries. The collaboration between Zinnwald Lithium and Metso involves designing an efficient particle sorting (beneficiation) process for the plant, with a focus on achieving the highest environmental standards. Metso, engaged by Zinnwald Lithium in early 2022, has been working closely to create a successful beneficiation process based on comprehensive mineralogical studies and testing. The design considers two distinct lithium ore types, potentially expanding the project’s resource base. Following the beneficiation pilot, the project will proceed with refining the calcination and hydrometallurgical processes. Zinnwald Lithium aims to create an integrated lithium hydroxide operation to support the growing demand for electric vehicle batteries, aligning with sustainability and resilience goals in the battery supply chain. Metso, with its expertise in minerals processing and sustainable technology, is dedicated to supporting the development of critical minerals for the electric vehicle industry. Their comprehensive solutions span the entire production chain, from mining to battery materials and recycling, ensuring a sustainable transition to clean energy solutions.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 18-Oct-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Zinnwald Lithium Plc (“Zinnwald Lithium”) and Metso continue to make excellent progress developing the beneficiation plant concept for the integrated Zinnwald Lithium Project located near Dresden, Germany. This unique project, which is situated in the heart of the European chemical and automotive industries, is designed to supply battery-grade lithium hydroxide (LiOH) to the battery sector.

Anton du Plessis, CEO of Zinnwald Lithium, comments: “Achieving resilience and sustainability for the electric vehicle battery supply chain is essential, including in Europe where over 30 new gigafactories are planned 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.”

Metso was engaged to assist Zinnwald Lithium with its Definitive Feasibility Study in early 2022. 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.

“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,” Mr. du Plessis added.

“Metso is delighted to support Zinnwald Lithium with the development of this ambitious project. 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,” said Mikko Rantaharju, Vice President, Hydrometallurgy at Metso.

Comprehensive solutions for processing of battery minerals

Metso provides sustainable technology and equipment for all ore types, including the critical minerals required for the energy transition, supported by its unique Planet Positive offering.

Metso’s solutions for battery minerals cover the entire lithium, nickel and cobalt production chain – from the mine to battery materials and black mass recycling – with project scopes ranging from equipment packages to plant deliveries. For high-end lithium-ion battery chemicals production, Metso’s expertise covers the extraction of lithium from various lithium sources up to battery-grade lithium salts.

Find out more about Metso’s offering for the battery minerals processing on our website.

More information on Zinnwald Lithium Plc on its website.

Metso is a frontrunner in providing sustainable technologies, end-to-end solutions and services for the aggregates, minerals processing and metals refining industries globally. By helping our customers increase their productivity, improve their energy and water efficiency and environmental performance with our process and product expertise, we are the partner for positive change.

Headquartered in Espoo, Finland, Metso employs over 16,000 people in close to 50 countries and sales for 2022 were about EUR 5.3 billion. The company is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki. metso.com, x.com/metsoofficial

Media Contacts:

Helena Marjaranta
Vice President, Communications and Brand
Tel.+358 20 484 3212
Email: helena.marjaranta(at)mogroup.com

Queralt Tobarra Garcia
Senior Manager, Solution Sales
Metso
tel. +358 40 358 8080
email: queralt.tobarra(at)mogroup.com

SOURCE: METSO