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Anson Resource’s (ASX:ASN) lithium brine outperforms commercial batteries

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ASX:ASN      MCAP $174.2M
08 March 2021 10:40 (AEST)

Initial tests have indicated Anson Resource’s (ASN) lithium quality exceeds commercial products used to produce high-performance lithium-ion batteries.

The initial testwork conducted by Novonix (NVX) used Anson’s lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate samples extracted from the Anson’s flagship Paradox Brine Project in Utah.

It found the 99.9 per cent lithium carbonate’s electrochemical behaviour outperformed commercial battery grade lithium-ion batteries, while the lithium hydroxide demonstrated a similar performance.

As part of the testing, Novonix sintered NMC622-hydroxide precursor powders with Anson’s lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide to conduct an electrochemical performance evaluation of the batteries.

The batteries were charged and discharged for up to 10 cycles and measured based on impedance growth and capacity retention, which is a battery’s ability to retain stored energy.

The tests revealed Anson’s lithium carbonate outperformed the commercial product blend and showed improved capacity retention, which is considered a key objective in the lithium-ion battery industry to extend battery life.

On the back of these initial tests, Novonix is set to proceed with a larger bulk sample test work programme over the coming months, which will include hundreds of charge and discharge cycles to calculate the comparative fade rate and life span of the batteries.

The final test report is expected in the second quarter of 2021.

“These are truly exciting results for Anson that support the commercial-grade quality of the lithium products produced from our Paradox Brine,” Anson’s Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer commented.

“This ongoing test work with Novonix is an important step in the commercial
development of the Paradox Project and will provide battery makers and potential off-take partners with considerable confidence in our ability to produce a high purity product,” he added.

Anson is up a solid 29.9 per cent following the announcement, trading at 8.7 cents at 10:45 am AEDT.

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