Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

The Corporation Nemaska Lithium Inc. (NMX) has developed an innovative process to produce lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate from spodumene ore. The processing plant under construction in Shawinigan (QC, Canada) will produce around 205 000 tonnes per year of solid by-products (mainly aluminosilicates), in addition to liquid effluents. In order to respect their commitment to sustainable and green technology development, NMX has invested in several areas of research and development to identify various markets for its by-products, in particular the production of zeolites, of concrete and asphalt for road infrastructure, as well as lithium glass and vitroceramics. In addition to continuing along these lines of research, the proposed project will improve NMX's process of lithium purification by estimating the impact of the variable composition of the spodumene ore on the composition of the produced by-products and their industrial valorization, reducing the production of residual sludge waste, and developing methods to treat and re-circulate process waters. The synergy created by the cooperation of NMX and specialists from INRS, Laval University, COREM, CTMP, UQAT and ÉTS, will enable the completion of the proposed research and development project, which is of great importance to the Canadian mining industry. The valorization of the aluminosilicate by-product, will also allow NMX to lessen its environmental impact by reducing the amount of waste destined for burial. Furthermore, the application of the by-product locally would not only help to develop the local economy, but also reduce CO2 emissions related to the transport and importation of foreign products. The proposed project will ultimately support the research activities of four PhD students, two MSc students, nine undergraduate students and several college students.