Rock Tech Lithium Inc. provided a project update on its mining and converter projects. Rock Tech has made substantial progress in the engineering, development and financing of its two assets, the lithium hydroxide converter in Germany and the Georgia Lake mining project in Canada. The Company has also started the planning and site selection process for its second converter.

Rock Tech broke ground on its lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) converter in March 2023. Site access has been secured and basic engineering for the plant has been completed through a series of three thorough engineering studies including the recent Front-End Loading Stage 3 study (FEL3). Test piling and loading tests have been completed and geostatic modeling results are expected in the next weeks.

Final approval to build and operate the converter is expected in fourth quarter 2023 and the Company plans to start construction once the final permit is granted. Construction is projected to be completed by the beginning of 2025. First production output is planned for third quarter 2025.

After this initial ramp-up phase Rock Tech will begin to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide starting in first quarter 2026. Utility contracts and procurement of major equipment parts including the pyrometallurgical package, hydrometallurgical package and crystallizer have been prepared. Electrical, Distributed Control System (DCS), Instrumentation and Control (I&C) for the production plant are defined including operating strategy with regards to digitalization, automation and robotics.

Supply chain logistics for the feedstock, residues and chemicals have also been defined. The selection of an EPCM contractor is in its final stage and selection will be finalized in the coming weeks. The city of Guben has finished a railway connection tender for the site.

The supply of additional feedstock for the converter is in final stages as well.