Scale-Up Challenges Loom Despite GT1’s Breakthrough in Lithium Hydroxide Production
Green Technology Metals (GT1) and EcoPro Innovation have successfully produced battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate from spodumene concentrate sourced from GT1’s Seymour project in Ontario, confirming high lithium recovery and low impurities.
- 600kg of Seymour spodumene concentrate processed at pilot scale
- Battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate with 56.5% purity achieved
- Lithium recovery rates exceeded 94% across pilot processes
- Low impurity levels meet stringent end-user specifications
- Results underpin Pre-Feasibility Study for Ontario lithium hydroxide facility
Successful Pilot Scale Conversion
Green Technology Metals Limited (ASX – GT1) has announced a significant milestone in its lithium development journey with the successful pilot scale production of battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate. Partnering with South Korean battery materials producer EcoPro Innovation, GT1 processed 600 kilograms of spodumene concentrate extracted from its Seymour lithium project in Ontario, Canada. The pilot program confirmed that the concentrate can be converted efficiently into a high-purity lithium hydroxide product, meeting stringent specifications demanded by battery manufacturers.
High Recovery and Low Impurities Confirm Ore Quality
The pilot processing achieved an average lithium recovery rate exceeding 94%, a benchmark that aligns with industry-leading standards. The final lithium hydroxide monohydrate product contained 56.5% lithium hydroxide with minimal impurities such as sodium, calcium, magnesium, and iron, all within acceptable limits. This validates the high quality of the Seymour ore and its amenability to conventional sulfation and conversion processes. Notably, the concentrate’s elevated calcium oxide content may reduce energy requirements during calcination, potentially lowering operational costs.
Strategic Partnership and Vertical Integration
The collaboration with EcoPro Innovation leverages GT1’s mining and concentrator expertise alongside EcoPro’s proprietary lithium chemical conversion technology. This integrated approach aims to establish a seamless supply chain from mine to battery-grade chemical production, a critical advantage in the competitive North American electric vehicle supply market. The pilot results will directly inform the design criteria for GT1’s Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) on a proposed lithium hydroxide conversion facility near Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Next Steps and Broader Project Pipeline
Following the Seymour success, GT1 plans to initiate similar piloting work on ore from its 100%-owned Root Lithium project once market conditions improve. A bulk sample from Root has already been collected and staged for future testwork. Meanwhile, GT1 continues to engage with potential offtake partners, using the pilot-produced samples to secure commercial agreements. The company’s broader portfolio, including the North Aubry deposit and other regional claims, remains a focus for exploration and resource growth.
Implications for North American Lithium Supply
This development positions GT1 as a vertically integrated lithium supplier capable of delivering battery-grade chemicals from Canadian hard rock spodumene. With growing demand for secure, localised lithium supply chains in the EV sector, GT1’s progress could enhance North America’s strategic autonomy in critical battery materials. The partnership with EcoPro also underscores the value of combining mining and chemical processing expertise to de-risk project development and accelerate time to market.
Bottom Line?
GT1’s pilot success marks a pivotal step toward establishing a fully integrated lithium hydroxide supply chain in Ontario, with market and operational risks still to be navigated as scale-up progresses.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the final PFS address scale-up risks and capital costs for the conversion facility?
- What timelines and conditions will govern the next phase of piloting at the Root Lithium project?
- How might GT1’s partnership with EcoPro evolve into a joint venture or commercial agreement?
