Electra Extends Processing of Black Mass Material Based on Successes of Its Battery Recycling Trial
October 02 2023 - 7:00AM
Business Wire
Electra Battery Materials Corporation (NASDAQ: ELBM; TSX-V:
ELBM) (“Electra” or the “Company”), currently constructing
North America’s only cobalt sulfate refinery, today provided an
update on its battery materials recycling trial, confirming
improved recoveries of high-value elements, higher metal content in
saleable products produced, and reduced use of reagents. Combined,
the improvements pave the way for higher-quality customer products
and improved economics for continuous battery materials recycling
operations. As a result of the successes achieved, Electra will
continue to process black mass material at its refinery
complex.
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Black mass material ready for processing
at Electra's refinery. (Photo: Business Wire)
“Results from of our plant-scale black mass trial continue to
exceed our expectations,” said Trent Mell, Electra’s CEO. “Recovery
rates for nickel, cobalt, and manganese continue to improve along
with enhancements to our hydrometallurgical process and reductions
in reagent consumption. As we accelerate our black mass recycling
strategy, our focus has broadened to include upstream battery scrap
shredding as well as upgrading our refined products to a
battery-grade quality. While we anticipate releasing a summary
report of our findings from the demonstration plant we have been
operating for the past nine months, we have decided to extend our
demonstration plant operations to build on recent success.”
Black Mass Recycling Trial Highlights
- Electra has processed 40 tonnes of black mass material to date
in a plant scale setting, believed to be the first of its kind in
North America.
- Recovery rates for all targeted metals have improved since the
start of the trial in late December 2022.
- Recovery rates for manganese, in particular, have improved by
more than 50% from results achieved in a lab setting.
- Metal content contained in the nickel-cobalt mixed hydroxide
precipitate (MHP) produced from the recycling process has increased
in the range of 5 to 10% since the start of the trial. An increase
in metal content results in a higher value saleable product,
thereby improving the potential economics of continuous recycling
operations.
- Approximately 20 tonnes of nickel-cobalt MHP product has been
shipped to customers to date.
- Reagent requirements have been reduced and in some cases
alternative, less costly reagents have been used for improved
overall metal recovery. Further, some of the reagent additions
substituted have reduced overall impurity levels within the
process. The reduction in reagent use and substitution of certain
reagents are expected to lower operating expenses, thereby
improving the economics of continuous recycling operations.
- Based on results achieved to date, Electra has elected to
continue processing black mass material at its refinery complex, to
further enhance its process and continue delivery of saleable
products to customers.
- Electra anticipates providing a detailed summary report of its
key findings from its black mass trial in the coming weeks.
“As the only plant-scale operator in North America currently
recovering all critical metals from recycled lithium-ion batteries,
we are very proud of the achievements made by our people and the
performance of our physical plant to date,” said Mark Trevisiol,
Electra’s Vice President of Project Development. “Our operations
and technical staff have repeatedly demonstrated innovative
solutions centered on improving efficiencies of our process while
at the same time simplifying the flow sheet. These changes have
been quickly applied in the field and generated value in products
being produced. In addition to the gains made to metal recoveries
and reagent use, other changes, such as improving the washing of
saleable residues in our filter press equipment and recycling
internal water streams, have improved our overall efficiencies.
With our decision to continue processing black mass material in our
goal to expand processing capacity, we now plan to further enhance
our process and target battery-grade quality products.”
Electra launched its black mass trial at the end of December
2022, and has processed material in a batch mode, successfully
extracting products containing lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese,
copper, and graphite. Electra’s trial is being conducted at the
Company’s refinery complex north of Toronto. Although the cobalt
refinery is still under construction, the refurbishment and
installation of key equipment at the refinery complex allows the
recycling trial to proceed alongside construction activities.
Black mass is the industry term used to describe the material
remaining once expired lithium-ion batteries are shredded and all
casings removed. Black mass contains high-value elements, including
lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, copper, and graphite, that once
recovered, can be recycled to produce new lithium-ion
batteries.
Established North American battery recyclers have focused on
collecting and shredding of batteries with the resulting black mass
material primarily treated by a pyrometallurgical smelting process
that has a higher carbon footprint and lower metal recoveries than
hydrometallurgical processes.
Recycling black mass will increasingly become a key feature of
the EV battery supply chain given the strong demand for critical
minerals and the looming supply deficit of metals such as nickel
and cobalt. According to data from McKinsey & Company,
available battery material for recycling is expected to grow by 20%
per year through 2040.
About Electra Battery Materials Electra is a processor of
low-carbon, ethically-sourced battery materials. Currently
constructing North America’s only cobalt sulfate refinery, Electra
is executing a multipronged strategy focused on onshoring the
electric vehicle supply chain. Keys to its strategy are integrating
black mass recycling and nickel sulfate production at Electra’s
refinery located north of Toronto, advancing Iron Creek, its
cobalt-copper exploration-stage project in the Idaho Cobalt Belt,
and expanding cobalt sulfate processing into Bécancour, Quebec. For
more information visit www.ElectraBMC.com.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture
Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of
this release.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This
news release may contain forward-looking statements and
forward-looking information (together, “forward-looking
statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws and
the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are
forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements
can be identified by the use of terminology such as “plans”,
“expects”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes” or
variations of such words, or statements that certain actions,
events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “occur” or “be
achieved.” Forward-looking statements are based on certain
assumptions, and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors
that could cause actual results, performance, and opportunities to
differ materially from those implied by such forward-looking
statements. Among the bases for assumptions with respect to the
potential for additional government funding are discussions and
indications of support from government actors based on certain
milestones being achieved. Factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from these forward-looking statements are set
forth in the management discussion and analysis and other
disclosures of risk factors for Electra Battery Materials
Corporation, filed on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca and with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Other
factors that could actually cause results to differ materially
include changes with respect to government or investor expectations
or actions as compared to communicated intentions, and general
macroeconomic and other trends that can affect levels of government
or private investment. Whether actual results and developments will
conform with our expectations and predictions is subject to a
number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to,
our ability to meet Nasdaq’s Minimum Bid Requirement and our
ability to maintain the listing of our common shares on Nasdaq.
Although the Company believes that the information and assumptions
used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable,
undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only
apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be
given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or
at all. Except where required by applicable law, the Company
disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231002051460/en/
Joe Racanelli Vice President, Investor Relations
info@ElectraBMC.com 1.416.900.3891
Electra Battery Materials (NASDAQ:ELBM)
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