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E3 Lithium is nearing completion of Phase 2 of its demonstration facility, advancing its Clearwater project toward commercial production. In its initial production phase, Clearwater is projected to produce 32,250 tonnes per year (tpy), with potential to expand across Albeta’s Bashaw District.
“Clearwater is moving forward on every front towards commercial production: operating a demonstration facility that is de-risking our technology at commercial scale, advancing permit applications for our processing facility, engaging with several international offtake partners, and receiving strong federal support,” said Chris Doornbos, CEO and chair of E3 Lithium.
“E3 is designing the Clearwater project exactly as we intend to build it. This methodical and structured discipline reduces construction risk, protects capital, and positions Clearwater for an efficient path to commercial production.”
Phase 1 of the demonstration facility was commissioned one year ago and successfully produced battery-grade lithium carbonate using the 30-column DLE system. Phase 2 involved drilling and operating a full-size producer and injector well pair, designed to the pre-feasibility study specifications, to test the reservoir and collect data for the Clearwater project’s feasibility study.
Now nearing completion, Phase 2 confirmed sustained production from the Leduc reservoir, moving more than 60,000 cubic meters to date, validating consistent brine chemistry across the broader resource, and has generated valuable gas-water data to support commercial facility design.
Phase 3 will operate in two parts. First, E3 will restart the 30-column DLE system in the fourth quarter to finalize process optimization and produce battery-grade lithium carbonate. The second part will see E3 finalize the design and procurement of a commercial-scale DLE column for an operation start in 2027, aimed at providing robust operational data required by project financiers, strategic partners and off-takers.
Additionally, extended operation of Phase 3 will provide E3 the opportunity to train operations staff, continue producing battery-grade lithium carbonate to support offtake, and further optimize key process metrics.
The Clearwater project contains the world’s third-largest lithium resource.
Source: E3 Lithium
The post E3 Lithium nears milestone in Clearwater project first appeared on North American Mining Magazine.