POSCO Pushes Green River DLE Plant Approval to Q1 2026 Amid Strong Progress
Anson Resources and POSCO Holdings have advanced their collaboration on the Green River Direct Lithium Extraction demonstration plant, with POSCO’s investment decision timeline pushed to early 2026. The partnership signals a strategic move to secure North American lithium resources and commercialize cutting-edge extraction technology.
- Strong technical and commercial progress on Green River DLE demonstration plant
- POSCO’s due diligence and approval process extended to Q1 2026
- Multiple engineering site visits and senior management meetings conducted
- Anson’s site preparations remain on schedule despite timeline shift
- Project central to POSCO’s North American lithium resource strategy
Strategic Partnership Advances
Anson Resources Ltd (ASX, ASN) and South Korea’s POSCO Holdings have reported significant progress in their joint development of a Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) demonstration plant at the Green River Lithium Project in Utah. Over recent months, the collaboration has deepened through detailed engineering assessments, multiple site visits, and high-level management exchanges, underscoring a shared commitment to advancing this innovative lithium extraction technology.
Due Diligence Timeline Extended
POSCO Holdings, a major player in battery materials and energy sectors, has extended its due diligence and internal approval process from December 2025 to the first quarter of 2026. This shift reflects the ongoing completion of basic engineering studies and thorough evaluation of the project’s technical and commercial viability. Despite this delay, Anson Resources confirms that site preparations and engagement with local suppliers continue as planned, maintaining the project’s momentum toward breaking ground.
A Key Component of POSCO’s North American Strategy
The Green River demonstration plant is a cornerstone of POSCO Group’s strategy to secure lithium resources in North America and to accelerate the commercialization of its proprietary DLE technology. POSCO’s investment aims to unlock lithium brine resources with lower environmental impact and enhance its position in the rapidly growing electric vehicle supply chain. Successful operation of the demonstration plant could pave the way for broader deployment of this technology across the continent.
Executive Confidence and Future Outlook
Bruce Richardson, Executive Chairman and CEO of Anson Resources, praised the partnership’s progress, highlighting the professionalism and alignment of objectives between the two companies. He expressed optimism about the continued collaboration as POSCO moves toward finalizing its investment decision. The coming months will be critical in determining the scale and scope of POSCO’s involvement and the future trajectory of the Green River project.
Implications for the Lithium Sector
This cooperation exemplifies the growing trend of strategic partnerships between resource developers and industrial conglomerates aiming to secure critical materials for the clean energy transition. The focus on DLE technology also reflects the industry’s push toward more sustainable and efficient lithium extraction methods, which could reshape supply dynamics in North America and beyond.
Bottom Line?
As POSCO’s final investment decision looms in early 2026, the Green River project stands at a pivotal juncture for lithium innovation and supply security.
Questions in the middle?
- What are the detailed financial terms and scale of POSCO’s potential investment?
- How will the extended due diligence impact the overall project timeline and costs?
- What are the commercial prospects and scalability of POSCO’s proprietary DLE technology post-demonstration?
