Volt Lithium, a key player in the lithium extraction industry, is set to deploy a groundbreaking mobile Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) unit in North Dakota’s Bakken region. This initiative highlights a significant step forward in the company’s efforts to advance sustainable and efficient lithium production.
The Bakken region, known for its rich natural resources, will soon host this state-of-the-art mobile unit that promises to revolutionize how lithium is extracted and processed. The commissioning of the DLE unit is slated for the second half of June 2025.
By leveraging advanced technologies, this mobile extraction unit aims to increase the yield and purity of lithium while reducing processing time and overall operational costs.
Volt Lithium is using a partnership-based operating model. Instead of building traditional greenfield lithium facilities, Volt integrates its DLE units directly with existing salt-water disposal (SWD) infrastructure in active oilfields. This strategy delivers key advantages including capital savings by avoiding the high costs of new well drilling, land acquisition, and pipeline construction and operating savings by accessing a steady, surface-ready supply of lithium-rich brine already produced through ongoing oilfield activities. This model significantly accelerates Volt’s time to production while improving overall project economics.
Through this initiative, Volt Lithium intends to strengthen its position in the increasingly competitive lithium market. Lithium is a crucial element in the production of batteries, which are essential for numerous applications including electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems. As demand for these technologies grows, efficient lithium extraction becomes more critical than ever.
Volt Lithium’s DLE unit comes with the promise of higher efficiency and reduced environmental footprint. The company’s approach focuses on using sustainable methods to meet the rising global demand for lithium, avoiding the more traditional and often environmentally taxing processes typically associated with lithium extraction.
The commissioning process will include rigorous testing to ensure the unit’s performance meets the necessary technical criteria and operational standards. This step is crucial for verifying the unit’s effectiveness in extracting lithium from brine resources present in the Bakken region. The unit will conduct a field trial processing lithium-rich brine from the Bakken formation, the second-largest brine producer in the continental U.S., with flows up to 2 million barrels of brine per day and lithium concentrations reaching 90 ppm. During the trial, Volt and partner Wellspring Hydro will host high-level stakeholders for site visits, including North Dakota representatives, senators, Department of Commerce leaders, and trade and financial leaders. These visits aim to showcase the scalability and strategic potential of Volt’s direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology during both the commissioning and operational phases.
As the energy sector continues to evolve, Volt Lithium’s commitment to innovation and sustainability positions it to play a significant role in meeting future energy storage demands. These efforts underscore the importance of developing smarter, environmentally-friendly extraction methods within the industry.
The deployment of this mobile DLE unit represents an essential phase for Volt Lithium, promising to set a new standard in lithium extraction while bolstering the company’s reputation as a leader in sustainable energy solutions.
Source: Volt Lithium to Commission Mobile Direct Lithium Extraction Unit in North Dakota’s Bakken Region
Photo Credit: ChampionX
