Lithium Harvest has signed a letter of intent with an undisclosed geothermal development partner to explore a joint venture for a large-scale project in Alberta, Canada.
The project will target annual production of 28,500 tonnes of lithium carbonate and 0.67 terawatt-hours (TWh) of renewable electricity.
The Danish company said the proposed facility would combine geothermal power generation with lithium extraction and refining, using geothermal heat to generate electricity and brine from the same resource as feedstock for lithium production.
Lithium Harvest will contribute its integrated brine-to-battery-grade lithium platform, combining water treatment, proprietary Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology and refining designed to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate.
Sune Mathiesen, Chairman of Lithium Harvest, said the agreement advanced the company's ambition to produce low-cost lithium and energy.
“The rapid buildout of data centres and the energy transition in general require large amounts of reliable power, as well as lithium for EV's and battery storage.”
First power generation and lithium carbonate production are both targeted for 2028, with the project expected to reach full capacity through a two-phase development.
Mathiesen added that the company's immediate priorities were “resource validation, engineering and financing” to bring the project towards commercial production.
Operating at full capacity could avoid up to 933,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually, according to estimates, although actual reductions would depend on the final design, operational performance and the electricity sources displaced.
The two sides next plan to finalise joint venture arrangements, validate the geothermal resource and lithium extraction process, progress engineering and permitting and secure financing for construction.
Mathiesen added that the project remains at the development stage for now.
“Our focus now is on the resource validation, engineering and financing needed to turn the project’s potential into commercial production.”