Name of the Project
Clearwater lithium project.

Location
South-central Alberta, Canada.

Project Owner/s
Canadian lithium brine developer E3 Lithium.

Project Description
A prefeasibility study (PFS) has outlined the detailed process to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide, and has reported the first lithium brine proven mineral reserves in Canada.

The project has estimated proven and probable lithium brine mineral reserves of 1.29-million tonnes lithium hydroxide monohydrate. The mineral reserve is contained within the Bashaw district measured and indicated lithium mineral resource, totalling 18.4-million tonnes lithium hydroxide monohydrate.

The project’s initial production and nameplate capacity is projected to be 32 250 t/y of lithium hydroxide and 25 850 t/y over a 50-year mine life. The mine life is based on only a portion of the total Bashaw district.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has a pretax net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of $5.18-billion and an internal rate of return of 29.2%, with a payback of 4.25 years.

Capital Expenditure
$2.47-billion, which includes water recycling and contingency.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
E3 Lithium has secured conditional approval for a nonrepayable investment of up to C$4.7-million from the government of Canada’s Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF). The funding will support preconstruction work on transportation and energy infrastructure.

The CMIF, which provides up to C$1.5-billion in federal funding through 2030, aims to facilitate the sustainable development and expansion of Canada’s critical minerals sector. E3 Lithium will use the investment to assess transportation upgrades needed to support industrial traffic, optimise energy use in lithium extraction from brine and explore process water recycling options.

The CMIF will reimburse E3 Lithium for 50% of eligible costs, up to the C$4.7-million total, pending final execution of the contribution agreement in the coming months. The company can apply for reimbursement of expenses incurred since October 2024, potentially including some work on its demonstration facility project.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Sproule Associates; Matrix Solutions; Sedgman Canada; and Stantec (PFS).

Contact Details for Project Information
E3 Lithium, tel +1 587 324 2775 or email investor@e3lithium.ca.