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Schlumberger to launch innovative lithium extraction plant at Pure Energy's Clayton Valley project

Vladimir Basov

Kitco News

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(Kitco News) - Pure Energy Minerals (TSX Venture:PE; OTCQB:PEMIF) reported today a significant milestone announcement by its partner, Schlumberger New Energy, at Pure Energy's 100% held Clayton Valley lithium brine project in Nevada. 

According to the statement, this week, Schlumberger New Energy announced its plans to develop a lithium extraction pilot plant through its new venture, NeoLith Energy. Construction and development of the pilot plant are planned to occur at the Clayton Valley project, Nevada. NeoLith Energy's differentiated direct lithium extraction process aims to enable a sustainable, efficient, and flexible lithium production ecosystem.

Schlumberger New Energy said that the NeoLith Energy sustainable approach uses a differentiated direct lithium extraction process (DLE), process to enable the production of high-purity, battery-grade lithium material while reducing the production time from over a year to weeks.

"This innovative process can create new market opportunities for lithium extraction and battery manufacturing economy, and maximize the value of the lithium-rich resource base in Nevada with cutting edge extraction technology," added Schlumberger.

NeoLith Energy's pilot plant is a step towards a full-scale, commercial lithium production facility. The pilot plant results will be used to optimize the design of the full-scale production plant. The production plant will utilize an environmentally friendly method for subsurface brine extraction and lithium production that requires a significantly smaller footprint and reduces water consumption by over 85% compared to current methods for lithium extraction from brine.

Pure Energy Minerals is a lithium resource developer that is driven to become a low-cost supplier for the growing lithium battery industry. Pure Energy has consolidated a pre-eminent land position at its Clayton Valley project in the Clayton Valley of central Nevada. Pure Energy's strategic partner, Schlumberger Technology, now Schlumberger New Energy, is the operator of the Clayton Valley project.

By Vladimir Basov

For Kitco News

Contact vbasov@kitco.com
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