RED ROCK — The company behind a proposed lithium conversion facility at Red Rock says the plant is economically viable and operationally feasible.
According to Rock Tech Lithium Inc., that's the outcome of its "scoping" or engineering study.
"The scoping study supports our North American plans with a strong business case," said Rock Tech CEO Dirk Harbecke in a prepared statement.
The company proposes to construct and operate a converter for lithium sourced from its Georgia Lake Project, about 90 kilometres north of Red Rock.
It said the scoping study confirmed Rock Tech can transfer to the Ontario project a substantial portion of its technical expertise from a lithium plant it's currently developing in Germany.
"It is estimated that up to 80 per cent of basic engineering can be applied, resulting in significant cost saving and an accelerated timeline," the company said, adding that this approach will also provide a competitive advantage to constructing the first lithium converter in Ontario.
The Red Rock plant could also process raw material from other lithium mines in Ontario and Canada., producing lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide monohydrate for the electric vehicle and battery industry.
Rock Tech hopes processing can begin before the end of the decade.
Three other companies are looking to establish lithium refineries in Northwestern Ontario, including two who would build their plants in Thunder Bay.
