Lithium Universe advances Bécancour refinery to address North American conversion gap

Lithium Universe (ASX: LU7) has made strong progress in its strategy aimed at closing the lithium conversion gap in North America, with several successes across various development areas within its Bécancour lithium refinery project in Canada.

The company anticipates a surge in North American battery manufacturing, with over 20 major manufacturers planning to deploy an estimated 1,000 gigawatts of battery capacity.

However, concerns remain that the necessary materials and processing may not be available to meet that demand as electric vehicle uptake grows, with no converters currently operational in North America and just 100,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent hard rock converters slated for construction in the region by 2028.

Strategic approach

To help plug that hole, the company is making significant strides on multiple fronts at the Bécancour refinery.

The downstream, standalone lithium refinery is being developed to create robust capability in processing spodumene feedstock from global sources such as Australia, Brazil and Africa.

Lithium Universe believes this strategic approach will allow the refinery to effectively manage market fluctuations, ensuring operational continuity and stability while Canada’s supply chain develops.

Green energy application

The company took a significant step during the June quarter towards the production of greener battery-grade lithium carbonate at the proposed Bécancour refinery, with the submission of an application to Hydro-Québec for up to 22.5 megawatts of green electricity.

Hydro-Québec is one of the largest hydroelectricity producers in the world, operating over 60 hydroelectric generating stations with very low greenhouse gas emissions and no toxic waste.

The application process with Hydro-Québec outlines the power needs for construction, commissioning, start-up and the gradual ramp-up to full production of the first 16,000tpa of battery-grade lithium carbonate.

Test work confidence

Elsewhere, Lithium Universe’s ongoing test work has successfully demonstrated the production of battery-grade lithium carbonate from various spodumene concentrates using the Bécancour refinery design.

This design, including cyclone preheaters at the calcination kiln feed, will provide improved extraction efficiency for various spodumene concentrates and adapt to finer ores from flotation techniques.

The Bécancour design notably pioneered ion exchange technology for calcium impurity removal, setting new standards in lithium purification.

A carbon dioxide purification circuit has been designed to achieve sodium and sulphate impurities well below industry thresholds.

Lithium Universe states the Bécancour process achieves battery-grade lithium carbonate with sodium levels below 100 parts per million (ppm) and calcium content below 13ppm.

3D plant layout

Another recent development has been the completion of a preliminary 3D model and plot plan layout for the refinery at Bécancour that provides a comprehensive visual and spatial understanding of the refinery’s design.

Infrastructure development and utility connections at the site are now underway, addressing essential elements such as water supply, power and transportation links needed for the refinery’s operations.

Material take-offs are being performed to prepare a detailed CapEx estimate, ensuring a comprehensive financial plan for the project’s construction and operational phases.