What is the story behind the acquisition of the Tonopah Lithium Claims (TLC) project in Nevada?

Originally, American Lithium explored for brines, but progressively, we educated ourselves about the possibility of lithium claystones or lithium sedimentary deposits. We were introduced to the TLC project by a local prospector, and his favorable initial prospecting results captured our interest. We purchased the claims, verified his results, and discovered very early on that the claystones at TLC were highly leachable. We drilled our first hole in 2019 and found out that the claystone also had great thickness. As we continued to expand our drilling program we started to see the consistency between the drill holes and the improvement of the lithium grades. We soon realized we had in our hands a massive resource and we identified samples with grades as high as 2,600 ppm lithium.

Can you elaborate on the uniqueness of the region where the TLC Project is located?

Our project is located in the outskirts of Tonopah. The environmental, biological and cultural studies demonstrated that there are no significant issues with endangered species, habitats or local communities. Apart from the great grades and the favorable location, we are close to transportation, power and all the necessary infrastructure. In addition, the state of Nevada is unique because its claystones were not developed for a long time. Lithium Americas in Northern Nevada was one of the companies leading the charge with the most advanced claystone projects.

How have you benefitted from the recent merge with Plateau Energy Metals?

The merge with Plateau Energy Metals has increased our expertise particularly on the extraction process of lithium. We recently sent 200 kg of material to Peru for them to utilize in their lab. We also have labs in Nevada and in Toronto, and we are obtaining better results every week. What is unique in lithium claystone is that we are able to upgrade the ore. We can use mechanical methods, increase our grades, concentrate our minerals and then proceed to the recovery process of lithium. This is a huge breakthrough because now we are processing half of the material and increasing our grades.

Can you highlight some recent milestones at the TLC project?

Our drilling results have indicated how consistent our desposit is over many miles in both directions and how easy it is for the lithium to be liberated. We recently received a notice from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approving the drill of 12 additional holes in recently acquired lands.

Our near-term goal is to engage a firm to carry out a PEA. We have started evaluating in-depth recovery methods, and since we have multiple economical extraction options, we are in the process of deciding which one is the best.

What are some of the challenges you have encountered with this project?

Nevada, and especially Tonopah, are missing other companies. We would love to see more firms come into the region, find their deposits, and work in close proximity to us, since this would attract more infrastructure and help us become more competitive in the world market. We do not view other companies in the region as competitors, but rather as partners.

Another challenge is that water in Nevada is extremely precious. For this reason, we have secured water rights locally since the beginning, purchasing it from farms within 30-40 miles.

How can American Lithium help secure the USA’s critical minerals supply chain?

The TLC project is an excellent project to respond to the Administration’s Critical Minerals Supply Chain Directive. Its location, metallurgy and environmental setting represent an exceptional opportunity to develop a large domestic lithium resource. Now that lithium has been declared as critical to America’s energy needs, the US Department of Energy has awarded us with a US$2.27 million grant as part of a US$4.5 million combined award that was made to a consortium that is innovating the production of battery-grade lithium hydroxide from Nevada’s claystones. The project is directed by American Battery Technologies Company, and we supply them with lithium-rich claystones for their proposed pilot plant. The third joint venture partner is DuPont Water Solutions.

What potential does Nevada hold for lithium and do you have a final message?

The potential for lithium in Nevada is remarkable, and the state will become the biggest lithium producer in the world in 10-15 years thanks to the richness of the claystone resources. American Lithium currently has excellent assets in Nevada and Peru, so we are a diversified company with a lot to bring to the table.