PR86655

SANTIAGO, Chile, Nov. 19, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

-- A US mining company and a Chilean public university come together to produce

30% lithium chloride in an environmentally sustainable way

SORCIA MINERALS LLC (SORCIA) and the UNIVERSITY OF SANTIAGO OF CHILE (USACH)

signed a cooperation agreement for research, development and innovation (R+D+I)

in the implementation of new mineral exploitation technologies. This will allow

the sustainable commercial production of 30% lithium chloride, without using

water present in the salars and with a reinjection of up to 90% of the brines

in their natural state.

According to the agreement, the USACH will validate the lithium chloride

extraction and production processes developed in a plant created by Sorcia /

IBAT and implemented in the university-affiliated salars, which will enable the

extraction of lithium in all salars, even those with low concentration.

The agreement also contemplates that internationally renowned panelists such

as, Dr. John Burba, give a series of conferences at the USACH.

Ensorcia Group Chairman Daniel T. Layton said "We fully believe in the benefits

of the partnership between the world of commerce and academia. We could not

hope for a better partner than the USACH, with which we are sure that we will

achieve great progress together. In the case of lithium, Chile is developing a

new paradigm, one that respects the environment and the rights and health of

indigenous peoples who live in ancestral sectors near the salars. We will offer

a new approach that will keep Chile at the technological forefront of the lithium industry."

Jorge Torres Ortega, Vice President of the USACH said "we are very happy with

this agreement which negotiation lasted a period of seven months and that will

allow us to be a worldwide contribution in the development of clean

technologies for the Lithium industry in Chile. The USACH will be an engine in

the development of the country in conjunction with Sorcia, as well as with

third parties, preferably Chilean national, in the development of cutting-edge

technologies such as autonomous driving, electric car technology, artificial

intelligence, battery manufacturing and recycling, improvements in solar

panels, among others."

This agreement was reached after USACH carried out studies on different

available technologies and decided on Sorcia / IBAT to develop a sustainable

and environmentally conscious process.

Contact: Marisol Olivares, press@ensorcia.com, +56962374104

SOURCE: Sorcia Minerals