[Alpha Biz=(Chicago) Reporter Kim Jisun] Ecopro will work with Australian lithium company Ioneer to develop a lithium mine in Nevada, USA.

Ecopro made an announcement on the 2nd that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on research and development (R&D) at Pohang campus on the 31st of last month to produce lithium hydroxide by extracting lithium from lithium clay. Under this agreement, Ioneer provides samples and basic data to EcoPro Innovation and coordinates tasks through regular meetings.

If the research and development succeeds, Ecopro Innovation and Ioneer plan to build a lithium hydroxide conversion plant in North America.

During the construction of the plant, the Ioneer will cooperate with its business by providing lithium clay buried in mines in Nevada, USA, to Ecopro Innovation free of charge and sharing profits from the production of lithium hydroxide.

Nevada's mines contain 77.4 million tons of lithium clay. It is very important to secure technology to remove impurities and extract high-purity lithium. Considering the usual lithium extraction rate, it is expected to produce about 1 million tons of lithium hydroxide.

 

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