Technology:

Simbol Materials Achieves First Production of Lithium Carbonate Using Geothermal Brine (Asahi Shimbun)

A Japanese newspaper is reporting that California-based Simbol Materials LLC, has succeeded for the first time in the world in producing nearly 100 percent pure lithium carbonate using geothermal brine.

The unique production technology developed by Simbol limits the emissions of carbon dioxide and reduces energy costs without being affected by changes in weather conditions as it does not involve solar evaporation. Today, approximately 70 percent of world lithium carbonate and other lithium chemicals production is produced through solar evaporation process using brine from salt lakes in South America.

Simbol plans to commence the construction of its Calipatria Plant II with an annual production capacity of 15,000 tons, by the end of the current fiscal year, and to start commercial operation in fiscal 2015. It will be built adjacent to the EnergySource Hudson Ranch I Geothermal Power Plant in Imperial County, California.

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