American Manganese Inc. reports the launch of the RecycLiCo™ pilot plant optimization tests with the Company’s contractor, Kemetco Research. The tests are focused on upgrading and perhaps doubling the processing capacity of lithium-ion battery cathode scrap material from the pilot plant’s current baseline capacity of 64 kg/day. The Kemetco team has planned to gradually increase pulp density in the initial stages of the RecycLiCo™ process to determine the optimal processing capacity without sacrificing the recovery potential of cobalt, lithium, nickel, manganese, and aluminum.
The projected timeline for the pilot plant optimization tests is expected to take several weeks and the findings are to be incorporated in the detailed engineering of the Company’s recently announced conceptual commercial plant layout. By improving units of operation and increasing processing capacity, American Manganese expects to decrease the cost of future commercial recycling plants.
“When we first commissioned the pilot plant project, we were interested in successfully scaling up our patented recycling process, which I believe we have demonstrated. We are now using this opportune time to determine the optimal processing limits and potential cost savings for our future commercial recycling plant,” said Larry Reaugh, President and CEO of American Manganese.