Jindalee partners with LiChem to test sustainable lithium refining for McDermitt ore, potentially enhancing economic and environmental project outcomes.
Jindalee Lithium Limited has officially announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with U.S.-based LiChem Operations, LLC (LiChem). This partnership aims to further the development of LiChem’s patented lithium refining process, which is specifically designed to produce battery-grade lithium from fine-grained sedimentary ore. As a first step under the agreement, Jindalee will supply LiChem with an initial 100 kilograms of ore sourced from its wholly owned McDermitt Lithium Project in Oregon — one of the largest lithium resources in the United States and of global significance.
The collaboration will initially focus on test work using this ore sample, with the possibility of Jindalee supplying up to 20 tonnes of material in stages, pending satisfactory results. The MoU also outlines the possibility of negotiating a non-exclusive, royalty-bearing license that would allow Jindalee to use LiChem’s proprietary refining process should it prove commercially viable. This would enable Jindalee to integrate the process into future operations at the McDermitt Project, enhancing its development options.
LiChem’s closed-loop refining system employs a unique reagent that serves as a sustainable alternative to traditional sulphuric acid leaching. The system is designed to recycle and reuse reagents, significantly reducing waste generation and contributing to a more environmentally responsible production process. According to LiChem, test work conducted since early 2024 on materials from McDermitt and other sources has yielded promising results.
Jindalee sees the potential of LiChem’s process as a viable replacement for the conventional sulphuric acid flowsheet currently included in its November 2024 Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS). In addition to lowering capital and operating costs, the LiChem technology may allow for the extraction of valuable by-products from the ore, thereby improving the overall sustainability and economic returns of the McDermitt Project. However, the company emphasized that the sulphuric acid-based flowsheet remains its primary development strategy. The new collaboration represents a broader effort to explore innovative technologies that could deliver improved project outcomes over the long term.
Ian Rodger, Managing Director and CEO of Jindalee, commented on the agreement: “We are excited to work with LiChem to evaluate the potential of their closed-loop refining method. While we continue to advance our primary sulphuric acid-based plan, this MoU is part of our wider effort to develop McDermitt responsibly while maximizing both economic value and environmental performance. The support of The Energy & Minerals Group, a major global investor in natural resources, reinforces our confidence in the viability of the LiChem process.”
LiChem’s Executive Chairman, John Raymond, also welcomed the partnership, stating: “We’re pleased to collaborate with Jindalee and build upon the promising test results we’ve seen so far. Our refining process, when paired with sedimentary feed like McDermitt ore, offers an integrated, domestic lithium supply chain solution that is both environmentally sustainable and cost-efficient. We look forward to advancing this partnership and achieving further milestones.”
This agreement, alongside McDermitt’s recent designation under the U.S. FAST-41 program, strengthens Jindalee’s strategic position as it aims to establish a long-term, domestic source of lithium critical for the clean energy transition.
