Lithium Universe fine-tunes Québec lithium hub ahead of feasibility study

Lithium Universe (ASX: LU7) is on target to move its innovative Québec Lithium Processing Hub (QLPH) project to the definitive feasibility study (DFS) phase with positive progress continuing on a current engineering study.

The engineering study being undertaken by Hatch is refining the details for a multi-purpose battery-grade lithium carbonate refinery located in Canada’s richest lithium province.

Hatch has already produced a finalised design flow sheet for the 16,000 tonnes per annum rated refinery with an assumed feed grade of spodumene at or around 5.5% lithium oxide, producing lithium carbonate to at least a 99.5% and 99.9% grade.

Target plant availability is 84% and the target overall recovery rate for lithium is 85%.

Additional opportunities

The studies have also identified an opportunity to sell anhydrous sodium sulphate, generally used in the textile industry as a by-product, as well as the alumina-silicate residue from the leached spodumene required by the cement industry.

Lithium Universe chair Iggy Tan said the finalised design flow sheet has identified a number of opportunities to develop an important new Canadian project.

“The progress of the engineering study for the QLPH lithium refinery by Hatch has been excellent, setting the stage for the DFS.”

“Considering our listing in early August this year, the pace and quality of work demonstrated by Hatch, guided by the company’s lithium dream team, has been pleasing,” Mr Tan added.

The Hatch study team has so far provided a block flow diagram and process flow diagrams. They have also delivered a mass balance along with process design criteria, which showcase mass flows, splits and anticipated tonnages concerning significant equipment.

Refinery site selection

Hatch has also completed a location study for the optimal site selection for the company’s proposed 16,000tpa battery-grade lithium carbonate refinery, which is an integral part of the QLPH.

The location study involved an evaluation of various potential locations – with more than 20 municipalities contacted – and relied on recent site benchmarks from both 2021 and 2023.

Based on the location study, Lithium Universe has opted to concentrate on the Bécancour Industrial Park located between Québec City and Montreal.

Lithium Universe has initiated discussions with the Société du parc industriel et portuaire de Bécancour concerning the site.

The company has developed a draft overall site layout to account for Canadian climate conditions and defined the roads required for delivery of raw materials and shipment of products and co-products.

Front-end loader benefits

The Hatch study highlights include the identification of how the front-end loader operation and belt conveyors feed spodumene concentrate from the stockpile area to the calciner.

Lithium Universe says the QLPH design closely resembles that of the Jiangsu lithium carbonate plant in China but is more robust and capable of processing various types of spodumene concentrate from Canada and around the world.

Regional significance

The regional importance of Lithium Universe’s Canadian development plans were recently highlighted in a meeting with Québec officials.

Québec is a major focus area for the company and its strategy to explore a string of Canadian lithium tenements with the ultimate aim of resourcing and constructing a spodumene-producing mine in the province, along with its QLPH stand-alone multi-purpose concentrator.