Our Work
Co-founders Peter Ehren and Macarena González Prieto have squarely focused on addressing technological and environmental challenges in the lithium industry since 1997. The team actively collaborates with other respected experts for the successful development of new projects, plant start-ups, due diligence, and peer review.
01
Salar de Olaroz
Process Environmental Consultancy (PEC) designed the complete process for the Salar de Olaroz project - a project that transitioned from Orocobre to Allkem, then to Arcadium Lithium. The project spanned liming of brine, solar evaporation, brine purification, precipitation, and bi-carbonation to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate. On behalf of its client, PEC ensured patent protection for the process. At the time, Salar de Olaroz represented the first successful lithium brine project put into operation since 1997.
02
Rhyolite Ridge
Rhyolite Ridge is an Ioneer-owned project that contains sedimentary rock with boron-rich Searleslite and lithium-containing clays. PEC analyzed the site's drill cores and identified the means to produce multiple products from a single mineral resource. Based on the characteristics of the boron silicate mineral, the teams designed a novel process using counter-current vat leaching and converting lithium- and boron-rich brine into Lithium Carbonate and Boric Acid. The Rhyolite Ridge is one of two advanced lithium projects in the U.S. and is fully funded by a Final Investment Decision.
03
Salar de Maricunga
Salar de Maricunga is an extraction site offering a highly concentrated lithium brine with daunting levels of calcium. The brine condition necessitated a unique design of process flow. It was clear that DLE could not be implemented because of freshwater scarcity in the region and limited space to reinject spent brine. Undeterred by the challenge, PEC developed a novel crystallization process that allowed for easy removal of calcium and magnesium as crystals, greatly minimizing the use of reagents and fresh water consumption. The project was later acquired by Codelco, one of the world's largest copper miners.
04
Salar Pastos Grandes
PEC designed the solar evaporation process and the lithium carbonate plant for this project. The project successfully reached Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) stage. Most astonishingly, the pilot plant produced battery-grade lithium carbonate on the very first batch!
The project was first owned by Millennial Lithium, later acquired by Lithium Americas.
05
Lithium Hydroxide at Nahara
PEC was responsible for delivering the initial process design for Arcadium Lithium's lithium hydroxide plant in Sahara, Japan. Peter Ehren collaborated closely with GEA Messo and Veolia HPD to optimize process and equipment parameters. This project's key challenge centered on the recycling of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) back into lime, used as reagent.
Veolia later acquired the project. While PEC was not involved in the final engineering and start-up phases of this project, PEC invented several new pathways to lithium refining, namely Blue and Green+ Refining. These pathways enable ultra-low OPEX and CAPEX, and virtually zero waste or carbon emissions.
06
Qualified Person
Peter Ehren is a Qualified Person (QP) under NI-43-101, JORQ, and SEK mandate. Peter and his team of experts covers the categories of:
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Mining Methods
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Mineral Processing
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Metallurgical Testing, Processing, and Recovery Methods
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Infrastructure. Environmental Studies and Permitting
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Capital, Operating Costs and Economical Analysis
07
Potassium Sulfate (SOP)
PEC leverages its strong expertise in phase chemistry and salt processing for the production to potash salt. Both potassium sulfate (SOP) and potassium chloride (MOP) lie at the center of PEC's core strengths, with successful projects demonstrated in China, Australia, and India. One of PEC's favorite tasks is designing SOP and MOP processes. Due to high complexity in processing, we are pleased to offer our clients greater clarity and troubleshooting of real-world operations.