Watercycle Technologies Selected to Demonstrate Cutting-Edge Lithium Recovery Technology in Chile
(16 September 2024, Manchester UK) - Watercycle Technologies Ltd (‘Watercycle’), a UK-based climate tech company specialising in developing high-yield, low-cost mineral recovery systems, has been selected from 30 international contenders to showcase its Direct Lithium Extraction and Crystallisation (DLEC™) technology by Chile’s state-owned mining body, the Empresa Nacional de Minería (‘ENAMI’). This selection comes following a Request for Information issued by the state-owned company for innovative technology that can meet the economic, social and environmental requirements for the sustainable development of Chile’s extensive lithium reserves.
This project will enable ENAMI to assess the technical and economic feasibility of Watercycle’s technology for lithium exploration in the northeastern Atacama Region. This represents a unique opportunity for Watercycle to showcase the capabilities of its technology alongside major competitors in the mining sector.
Watercycle Co-founder and CEO, Dr Seb Leaper, said: “It’s great to be representing UK technology on the world stage and we are very grateful to ENAMI for giving us the opportunity to do so. Demand for lithium is set to outstrip supply in the coming years as the global transport sector decarbonises. ENAMI is key to filling this supply gap and we couldn’t be more excited to be working with them in this endeavour.”
With over 60% of the world’s lithium supply found in South America, Chile is the leading commercial provider in the region. Watercycle is among eight companies selected by ENAMI, which include industry giants Rio Tinto and Eramet.
ENDS
Watercycle Technologies - www.watercycletechnologies.com
Watercycle Technologies is a UK-based climate-tech company pioneering sustainable and circular critical mineral recovery essential for a Net Zero future, creating clean drinkable water in the process. It is initially focused on two areas critical to lithium production and creating a circular economy for the global energy transition, Direct Lithium Extraction and Crystallisation (DLEC™) and the recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries and black mass (shredded batteries). Watercycle Technologies’ scalable, modular technology delivers dramatic reductions in costs and has a reduced environmental impact compared to other processes available. Its patented technology can also be applied to the extraction of other critical minerals and metals from all types of water, including wastewater.
For media enquiries about Watercycle Technologies please contact Heloise Grandjouan at heloise.grandjouan@watercycletechnologies.com
About Empresa Nacional de Minería ENAMI – enami.cl
ENAMI is the Chilean state-owned mining body with 62 years of experience in the small to medium mining industry. The organisation, associated in the country’s copper processing, plans to undertake several lithium projects to expand Chile's lithium production. ENAMI focuses on the sustainable development, production and commercialization of minerals and mining products. Since its foundation in 1960, ENAMI’s facilities stretch the length of Chile, including 15 mining offices and 5 processing plants.