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Why direct lithium extraction is the critical mineral sector's needed technology

Kitco Media
By Michael McCrae
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(Kitco News) - Siddarth Subramani, Principal, Advisory, Hatch, is optimistic about direct lithium extraction technology advancing to meet demand.   

On June 22, 2023, Subramani spoke to Kitco at the 15th Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials 2023 in Henderson, Nevada.

Hatch is a global engineering company. The company has been employed by LithiumBank Resources and others to assess direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies to treat raw brine and produce battery-grade lithium chemical products.

The consultancy McKinsey & Co. wrote that DLE is needed, alongside traditional lithium mining processes such as hard rock mining and solar pond evaporation, to scale up supply. 

"Despite expectations that lithium demand will rise from approximately 500,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) in 2021 to some three million to four million metric tons in 2030, we believe that the lithium industry will be able to provide enough product to supply the burgeoning lithium-ion battery industry," wrote McKinsey in a report from last year. "[Direct] lithium extraction (DLE) and direct lithium to product (DLP) can be the driving forces behind the industry’s ability to respond more swiftly to soaring demand." 

Subramani said the investment into direct lithium extraction has been significant, with many large companies advancing the technology. 

A hurdle will be scaling up DLE, but Subramani said the lithium sector needs the technology.

"There's going to be hiccups along the way," said Subramani. "DLE is not straightforward. It's not
easy. Every technology has to be suited for the application. There are challenges along the way. We're optimistic but cautiously optimistic." 

Coverage of 15th Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials 2023 sponsored by Lindian Resources (ASX:LIN).

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Michael McCrae

Michael McCrae is leading Kitco's coverage of the mining sector. McCrae, who has both an MBA and CMA, knows how to build digital media properties. He was co-founder and publisher of MINING.com, an award-winning news site. Before coming to media, McCrae worked in IT and banking. Please reach out: mmccrae@kitco.com or (514) 670-1383. You can also follow him at @michaelmccrae.

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