Australia-based European Metals Holding (EMH) announced Thursday the viability of the lithium chemical plant (LCP) process flowsheet for the Cinovec lithium project in the Czech Republic.

The project, operated by EMH in partnership with Czech company CEZ, is believed to host Europe’s largest hard rock lithium deposit and the fifth largest non-brine deposit globally. The deposit, which lies in an active mining region, is 100% owned by Geomet – a joint venture between EMH (49%) and CEZ (51%).

A pilot programme at the project confirmed the viability of a revised, “much simpler” flowsheet process to produce lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) from Cinovec sample ore. EMH says the lab-scale production converted crude lithium carbonate into battery-grade lithium chemical, and proved feasibility for industrial-scale production.

“We are extremely pleased with the results from the lithium hydroxide test programme,” comments EHM chairman Keith Coughlan. “The lithium hydroxide produced was of the highest grade possible and exceptionally clean. This, when combined with the ability to produce either battery-grade lithium carbonate or hydroxide, enables a wider range of offtakers for the Cinovec product.”

The updated flowsheet produces a high-purity lithium sulphate solution, which is then used to produce either lithium chemicals. The process could produce LHM either directly or indirectly, via re-processing the first stage crude lithium carbonate. Developers assessed the risks and benefits of both routes and found that the indirect method would offer the lower risk, in terms of process risks and costs, Kallanish understands.

This isn’t the first time European Metals produced battery-grade lithium hydroxide. It did so in 2019. The main difference between both samples is the revision of the LCP flowsheet, with more extensive assaying requirements.  

Last month, the company said DRA Global was “in the process of completing” the project’s definitive feasibility study, which was expected in Q1 2024. Details on the “more significant issues” leading to the new delay should be announced by month-end.

EHM is confident the Cinovec project’s timeline “will not be impacted,” as its permitting process should be shorter and simplified in line with the effective EU’s CRMA regulation.  However, it has not disclosed when first production is expected.

According to a 2022 pre-feasibility study, based on a price of $17,000/t, the $644 million project would produce 29,386 tonnes/year of lithium hydroxide.