Cosmos Secures EUR 1M Pilot Plant to Boost Bolivian Lithium Testing

Strategic Bolivian Lithium Development

Cosmos Exploration Limited (ASX – C1X) has reported steady progress in its strategic lithium initiative centered on Bolivia’s vast high-magnesium brine resources. Through its exclusive option to acquire EAU Lithium Pty Ltd, Cosmos is advancing the evaluation of Vulcan Energy Resources’ proprietary adsorption-type direct lithium extraction (A-DLE) technology. This technology aims to unlock Bolivia’s lithium potential with a more sustainable and efficient approach compared to traditional methods.

During the September quarter, testing on natural brine samples from the Salar de Coipasa and Salar de Pastos Grandes salars moved forward, complementing earlier synthetic brine trials conducted in Germany. These results are now under formal review by Bolivia’s state-owned Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos (YLB), which will determine if the technical conditions of the testing agreement have been met. The release of these results remains pending contractual and disclosure approvals.

Pilot Plant Acquisition Marks Milestone

In a significant development, EAU Lithium entered a conditional Sale Agreement to acquire a fully constructed adsorption-type direct lithium extraction pilot plant (PP4) located in Germany, owned by Vulcan Energie Ressourcen GmbH, a subsidiary of Vulcan Energy Resources. The EUR 1 million purchase, payable in staged instalments, will provide pilot-scale capacity to test both synthetic and natural Bolivian brines under controlled conditions.

This acquisition represents a key step in EAU’s technology development pathway, positioning Cosmos among a select group with access to advanced pilot-scale A-DLE infrastructure. However, the plant’s deployment in Bolivia requires prior approval from YLB and the Bolivian government, alongside completion of acceptance testing and a minimum capital raise of AUD 2 million.

Navigating Bolivia’s Political Transition

Cosmos’ lithium ambitions unfold amid a notable political shift in Bolivia, where centrist candidate Rodrigo Paz recently ended nearly two decades of rule by the Movement Toward Socialism party. EAU Lithium continues to engage closely with YLB to ensure alignment with Bolivia’s national development goals and community priorities as the country advances its lithium industrialisation strategy.

Bolivia’s lithium reserves, estimated at 23 million tonnes of elemental lithium, represent the world’s largest known resource. The Lithium Triangle region, encompassing Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina, holds over half of the global lithium resources, underscoring the strategic importance of Cosmos’ initiatives.

Broader Exploration and Financial Position

Beyond Bolivia, Cosmos maintains a portfolio of critical minerals exploration projects across Australia and Canada, including tenements in Western Australia, New South Wales, Quebec, and Nunavut. The company reported a cash balance of AUD 504,000 at quarter-end, with expenditures focused on exploration and corporate administration. Payments to related parties, including executive remuneration and service providers, were disclosed in line with governance standards.

Looking ahead, Cosmos aims to secure YLB’s formal approval of test results, complete pilot plant acceptance testing, and engage with Bolivian authorities and communities to establish frameworks for pilot-scale testing and potential industrialisation agreements. These steps will be critical in translating technology validation into commercial lithium production aligned with sustainable development principles.