The Lithium extraction is something that should be proven by year end, yet..they're already looking foo money NOW and are currently in discussions with potential partners.
So everything must already be working...
Meanwhile, a demonstration lithium plant in Germany is headed for continuous operation this year, which will select a process to enable Western Lithium to make a development decision for Kings Valley, whose reserves support a 20-year mine life plus expansion. Phase I of production would have a capex of $248 million, while Phase II would cost $161 million. Cash operating costs would be $968 per tonne after potassium, sodium, and lithium carbonite credits.
MOST RECENTLY
''The company is currently in discussions with potential partners in order to accelerate its lithium development activities in Nevada.''
Western Lithium officials, speaking at a ceremonial opening of the hectorite clay processing plant, said the company last month began a demonstration lithium extraction project in Germany and is seeking $250 million in investment to develop a lithium processing plant at the Nevada mine site with a goal of opening by 2017.
"There is a tremendous opportunity to capture some business synergies in Nevada with all the interest coming in now," said Jay Chmelauskas, CEO of Vancouver, B.C.-based Western Lithium Corp, which has offices in Reno.
"We're very active now with potential customers," he said, but declined to identify electric car maker Tesla among them. "Our lithium plant has current estimates of 26,000 tons of lithium carbonate a year for 20 years. That production matches the amount of lithium carbonate that would be needed by a company like Tesla Motors."
Speaking to two dozen business and political leaders and with a mountain of 3,000 tons of hectorite clay behind him, Chmelauskas said Nevada is blessed to have an abundance of lithium-loaded ore.
"There is a potential market for Tesla 10 miles from where I'm standing," he said of Tesla's site for its mammoth gigafactory, which will employ up to 6,500 people in the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center midway between Reno and Fernley.
"We see a tremendous collaboration, opportunities, with lithium. Now we're ready for some bold action''
