
Processing and chemistry matters a whole lot more for lithium than other metals, said Chris Doornbos, president and CEO of E3 Metals.
Doornbos spoke with Kitco News last month.
Doornbos notes that lithium is different than other commodities, such as zinc, gold or iron ore. The purity of the lithium is critical.
“Making this chemical is not a simple process if you are going to make battery quality,” said Doornbos.
Regarding Doornbos’ own technology, E3 Metals utilizes oil and gas development know-how and infrastructure in Alberta to access the Leduc Reservoir, which hosts lithium-enriched brine. Last month E3 Metals signed a deal with Livent, a downstream lithium processor, to help fund E3 Metals’ extraction technology.
Asked about all the metals in the battery material space that have come and gone on investor sentiment, such as nickel, cobalt and graphite, Doornbos said lithium will remain critical since batteries will have the same amount of lithium in them no matter the type of battery chemistry chosen.
Doornbos admits sentiment has left the market on the retail side but believes in the long-term outlook for the metal.