Compass Minerals signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to supply LG Energy Solution (LGES), a leading global manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems, with a battery-grade lithium product from its lithium brine development project at its Ogden, Utah, solar evaporation facility.
Per the terms of the MOU, Compass Minerals would commit, for up to seven years initially, at least 40% of its planned, annual phase-one production to LGES starting in 2025. The MOU also includes an option for Compass Minerals to supply up to an additional 40% annually of the company’s phase-two production once the project is at full scale. The company has previously announced an expected annual commercial production capacity of 30,000 to 40,000 metric tons (mt) of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) for the project, with an initial phase-one capacity of up to 10,000 mt LCE coming online by 2025. Purchase pricing would be based on market price and sales volume thresholds would be dependent upon product qualifications.
“Our lithium vision is to support the North American battery market by accelerating the development of a sustainable and secure domestic lithium supply chain,” said Chris Yandell, head of lithium for Compass Minerals. “Entering into this commercial relationship with a proven manufacturing leader like LGES will help enable that vision, as well as assist LGES in solidifying its U.S. supply chain.”
Compass Minerals is pursuing the sustainable development of an approximately 2.4-million-mt LCE resource on the Great Salt Lake, readily available for extraction through existing permits, water rights and operational infrastructure at the company’s Ogden facility, the largest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.
