Around the world, demand for lithium is skyrocketing. This essential mineral is used to create batteries for the technologies people use everyday, from cellphones and laptops to medical equipment and electric vehicles.
In central Alberta in the Leduc Aquifer, Calgary-based E3 Lithium (E3) has developed a new technology that extracts lithium found in brine, a waste product from the oil and gas industry, and turns it into battery-grade lithium carbonate. This process transforms what was previously considered waste into a valuable resource.
“There is a critical minerals race happening worldwide, and Alberta is setting the pace. Home to Canada’s largest brine reserves, well-documented drill sites and a talented oil and gas workforce, our province is the best place for E3 Lithium get this great technology closer to commercialization. Together, we are supporting jobs, diversifying the economy, and creating a brighter energy future where Alberta is a global leader in lithium production,” said Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas.
Breaking new ground in lithium extraction
In 2023, E3 opened the province’s first lithium extraction facility southeast of Olds, Alberta. They began with a field pilot program, supported by ERA’s Trusted Partner Alberta Innovates, to test different extraction methods for lithium carbonate (LC), trialing a direct lithium extraction (DLE) process.
The DLE process deploys sorbent materials that selectively capture lithium-ions from brine. The collected lithium carbonate is then used to develop products to sell to battery producers, automative companies, and renewable energy businesses.
The Field Pilot Plant successfully demonstrated that DLE technology can transform low-grade brine into high-grade lithium concentrate, propelling E3 to scale up operations and work towards commercialization. It was an achievement that came from years of collaboration between E3 and its post-secondary and private partners in Alberta.
“E3 is on the path to building a new industry in the province. As we prove the technology at an increasing scale, we increase the certainty that Alberta can be a major lithium-producing jurisdiction,” said Chris Doornbos, President and CEO of E3 Lithium.
With a referral from Alberta Innovates, Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) provided $5 million in funding for E3’s project through the Government of Alberta’s Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) fund. ERA’s funding will be invested in increased technology at E3’s first extraction facility in Olds, enabling them to mitigate risks and study how the technology will perform on a small scale. Eventually, the funding will help provide important data on how much lithium could be produced annually at a full-scale commercial facility, set to begin construction in 2026.
The Alberta advantage
E3 leverages what they call the “Alberta advantage” to find success with lithium production. In northwestern and central Alberta, oil and gas reservoirs have an abundance of brine and lithium ripe for extraction.
The province’s history of energy development means there is comprehensive research on geology, as well as a regulatory framework that aids E3 in safe and environmentally responsible lithium extraction. Alberta’s skilled workforce in oil and gas is also a transferrable asset to support E3’s production process.
“E3 exemplifies Alberta’s entrepreneurial spirit. They saw an opportunity and developed an innovative strategy to capitalize on it, transforming industrial waste into a valuable energy source that can power your cell phone or your EV. Along with supporting the circular economy, the environmental and economic rewards of this kind of leading-edge technology directly align with the province’s long-term goals,” said Justin Riemer, CEO, Emissions Reduction Alberta
E3’s project has the potential to position Alberta as a global leader in lithium extraction and accelerate the province’s transition to a lower carbon economy. The DLE technology re-purposes brine that is usually considered refuse and converts it into lithium products, reducing waste from oil and gas production. It also involves a closed-loop water recycling system for the DLE process, eliminating the need for new freshwater. Batteries from lithium products are used for electric vehicles and renewable energy sources, diversifying Alberta’s economy.
Doornbos explained, “ERA’s funding is crucial for developing a commercial facility and producing battery-grade lithium. This investment not only supports E3 but also opens new opportunities for the province and positions Alberta as a leader in critical minerals innovation.”