SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: PepinNini Minerals Limited (ASX: PNN) has entered into a partnership with global lithium extraction company Sunresin New Materials Co. Ltd. (Sunresin) for the evaluation and development of PepinNini’s 100%-owned Salta Lithium Brine Project in the lithium triangle of north west Argentina.
PepinNini and Sunresin have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as the first step in a proposed long-term collaborative partnership to utilise Sunresin’s proprietary Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology for the potential development of a commercial-scale lithium carbonate (LIC) producing operation at the Salta Project.
Sunresin’s DLE technology enables the selective salt extraction from brines by using resins to facilitate the extraction of lithium.
Under the MoU, Sunresin will assess the merits of deploying its DLE technology on the Salta lithium brine salares individually. The MoU is non-binding and non-exclusive.
The MoU is proposed to be carried out under the following phases;
• Phase 1: Project Review and Process Simulation
• Phase 2: Bench Scale DLE test work and Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA)
• Phase 3: Pilot Scale DLE lithium carbonate (LIC) production tests
• Phase 4: Negotiation Phase for a binding agreement for the supply of DLE Technology by Sunresin to PNN’s Salta Project
The primary goal of Phase 4 will be to secure a binding agreement that delivers battery-grade LIC from the Salta Project while complying with the highest international ESG standards.
The parties propose to commence activities under Phase 1 of the MoU immediately, and will provide updates on progress in due course