Projects

KACHI

Lake’s flagship Kachi Project is located in Argentina’s Catamarca Province at the southern end of the Lithium Triangle, a world-renowned province responsible for 40% of global lithium production.

Lake Resources announced on 19 December 2023 the results of its Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for Phase One of the globally significant Kachi lithium brine project in Argentina.

The Kachi Project Phase One DFS demonstrates that Kachi is a top tier project, backed by a significant resource and strong economics positioning it competitively within the growing lithium market.

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Using direct extraction technology provided by Lake’s technology partner, Lake plans to produce at Kachi a sustainable, high purity lithium carbonate product capable of attracting premium pricing from battery/cathode makers.

Importantly, the direct extraction process is an environmentally friendly technology since virtually all the water (brine) is returned to its source, offering the EV and battery industry a sustainable and consistently high quality source of lithium for their supply chains.

Kachi comprises 705 sq km of leases and lease applications over a brine-bearing basin 20km long, 15km wide, and 400-800m deep centred.

On 15 June 2023, the JORC Update on Kachi Project confirmed a 37% increase in the Measured resource, supporting 25+ years of supply life. A potential Kachi resource expansion to 8.1 million tonnes LCE will support further expansion opportunities.

On 19 June 2023, as part of the Investor Operational Update, Lake announced a two phase development to targeted production of 50Ktpa battery grade lithium carbonate. A phased approach of 2 x 25Ktpa plants will de-risk project execution and accelerate the time to first lithium production with clear milestones.

“Our new, phased approach de-risks project execution while ensuring battery grade lithium carbonate comes to market in a cleaner, efficient way,” CEO and Managing Director David Dickson said.

“Over the past nine months, we have applied our extensive expertise in drilling, hydrogeology, and construction of large, specialty chemical projects to comprehensively reassess this project and better position us for success. Our findings regarding infrastructure, power, logistics requirements, and our reservoirs resulted in this path to production which will unlock value and maximise execution efficiency. This approach also provides expansion optionality to 50Ktpa, and potentially more.”

“Our proven process flow incorporates both the “mine and refine” stages of producing battery-grade lithium carbonate, ensuring product consistency and designed to mitigate environmental impact,” Mr Dickson said.

Independent testing of lithium carbonate produced from Kachi has confirmed grades and purity greater than 99.8 percent.

Phased production delivers these benefits:

1. Takes full advantage of potential resource upside.
2. “Design one, build many” approach creates productivity improvements from lessons learned.
3. More flexible power solution and reduced reliance on grid connection for plant start-up.
4. Provides optionality on plant size and product type, allowing it to adapt to prevailing market conditions.
5. Allows for management of potential reservoir impacts.
6. Reduces peak labour requirements during construction and makes operations more resilient.

Lake is targeting completion of a definitive feasibility study by December 2023. Adjusted timing on the DFS, consistent with an increasing resource base and the outcomes of project reassessment, allows for greater project definition, optimal power solution and infrastructure considerations.

Lake Resources - Kachi Project -ArgentinaLake Resources - Kachi Project -690 km2 Lease Area