UK: With respect to Energia Minerals Srl's (Energia) geothermal exploration licence areas in the Lazio region of central Italy, UK-based Watercycle Technologies has signed an agreement with Energia.

Utilizing Direct Lithium Extraction and Crystallization (DLEC), a secretive technology developed by Watercycle, the geothermal brine in the study area will be put to the test.

Energia is a division of the mining company Altamin, which is traded on the Australian Stock Exchange. Altamin received two exploration licences (ELs) in the Lazio administrative region at the beginning of 2022. Due to the high potential for lithium extraction in the geothermal brines at Cesano, these licences were highly sought after.

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The patented filtration method developed by Watercycle is currently being tested at the company's Cornwall facility in conjunction with Cornish Lithium. The DLEC method has already been shown to be able to selectively extract lithium from subsurface brine, and it can handle a variety of different types of water.

According to the agreement, Watercycle will analyse the brines from an Italian borehole. The business will subsequently create membranes using this chemistry. The DLEC process will then be used to treat a portion of the brine, and both the lithium-rich and de-lithiated brine streams will then be analysed.

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The lithium-rich solution will also be processed by the water cycle to create lithium carbonate salts. This is a crucial distinction between the Watercycle process and other common direct lithium extraction processes. In the event that the test is a success, Watercycle and Energia will look into the possibility of constructing a sizable pilot testing facility in Italy.

"We are excited to be collaborating with Energia Minerals, who saw the potential of our distinct method for extracting lithium from brines. Our proprietary membranes and processes, which are gaining popularity both nationally and internationally, are further validated by this agreement.

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Each brine has unique properties, so it is part of our development model to test a variety of brines to further demonstrate the effectiveness of our technology and offer cutting-edge, environmentally friendly ways to extract lithium and other vital minerals from them, according to Watercycle CEO Dr. Seb Leaper.