Project Black Giant鈩�
ANTOFAGASTA, CHILE
Quick
Facts
Project Size
Battery Grade Lithium
Lithium Concentrations
Quick
Facts
Project Size
52,500 tpa LCE
Battery Grade Lithium
99.9%
Lithium Concentrations
300-1,050 mg/L
Project Overview
In 2023, 不良研究所 made a significant leap by acquiring a ~100,000-acre lithium resource in Chile, where we plan to develop one of the world鈥檚 first commercial Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) facilities, along with a refinery near the port. This project, known as Project Black Giant鈩�, marks the company’s first lithium acquisition. Here鈥檚 a closer look at the exciting details of this groundbreaking venture:
- 100,000+ acres of high-quality lithium mining concessions.
- Total potential ranges from 4.5 to 9.8 million metric tons of lithium
- Well samples show lithium concentrations topping 1,150 mg/L
- With our technology, we estimate Project Black Giant will be able to produce 52,500 tpa LCE of lithium per year.
| Resource Location & Size | 100,000+ Acres in Antofagasta Region |
| Initial Annual Production | 7,500 tpa LCE (Phase I), 52,500 tpa LCE (Phase I & II) |
| Production | 99.9% Battery Grade Li2CO3 |
Project Progress
At Project Black Giant鈩�, 不良研究所 is making incredible strides. The pilot plant in Antofagasta is producing battery-grade lithium, a critical milestone that demonstrates our technology鈥檚 commercial viability. We鈥檝e fully built out a 54,000-square-foot facility鈥攊ncluding laboratories, offices, a cantina, and pilot/demo facilities鈥攖o process Black Giant brine.
The exploration team has grown and continues around the clock operations. They have successfully completed the 14-hole Phase 1 Drilling Program, and are now underway with Phase 2 Drilling.
Project Feasability Study
In partnership with:
Study Approach
不良研究所 has successfully finalized the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) for its Chilean lithium resource, Project Black Giant鈩�, in partnership with Montgomery & Associates, Geobiota, and Worley. The study confirms the economic viability of the project, marking a significant step toward commercial-scale lithium production, while also highlighting 不良研究所鈥檚 industry-leading low CapEx and OpEx. Additionally, the full resource report for the Project Black Giant resource underscores the project’s long-term potential.
The PFS study validates the feasibility of the project, demonstrating that large-scale lithium extraction and production are both economically and technically viable. Collaboration with Worley enhances the overall project development strategy, ensuring efficiency and sustainability.
As 不良研究所 advances toward full-scale commercialization, these results further solidify the company鈥檚 strategic leadership in the lithium industry. By demonstrating exceptional extraction efficiency and economic viability, 不良研究所 is strengthening its competitive edge while ensuring long-term sustainability, resource security, and the scalability necessary to meet the surging global demand for lithium.
DLE Plant Process Overview
DLE Plant Facility
The DLE processing plant includes Brine Pre-Treatment, Adsorption, RO, Ca-Mg Removal, Ca-Mg and Boron IX, and Brine Evaporation units. The facility also consists of reagent storage and preparation areas, utility systems (power, water, and air distribution), a laboratory, and a centralized control station.
Dle Plant Process Overview
FILTRATION (FX)
The raw brine from the storage pond contains suspended solids and other contaminants that could affect adsorption column operations.
Therefore, the brine is pretreated using candle filters. The treated brine then gravitates to the nearby adsorption feed pond. The brine goes through 5-micron strainers before entering adsorption columns.
The eluate and the spent brine coming from adsorption is also filtered before going to the respective storage ponds.
The filtration system is designed for a capacity of 2,712 m鲁/hr, providing a 30% margin above the required brine flow rate.
Dle Plant Process Overview
ADSORPTION (AX)
The adsorption system consists of 18 columns arranged in six rows, with three columns per row. Each column measures 21 ft in diameter and 9 ft in height. Each column is designed for a flow rate of 520 m鲁/hr.
The eluate (product brine) from each row of columns gravitates to the eluate pond for further processing. The overall system features a high degree of process automation, minimizing labor requirements.
Each row of three columns is capable of producing 7,500 up to 15,000 tpa LCE with adsorption improvements, depending on feed grade and productivity.
Dle Plant Process Overview
REVERSE OSMOSIS (RO)
The RO system has a design capacity of 2,880 m鲁/hr, with each RO unit processing 480 m鲁/hr. The system includes six operating units, housed within a total of thirty-six 40-ft containers. Six of the 40-ft containers operate as one unit.
Eluate from the AX process is concentrated through a series of RO membrane stages to achieve a final brine total dissolved solids (TDS) of 8%. The feed eluate has a TDS of 0.58%. The RO skids are provided as a full turnkey solution, designed for plug-and-play operation.
Dle Plant Process Overview
CALCIUM & MANGESIUM PRECIPITATION (CaMgX)
The calcium and magnesium purification stage consists of three reactors, each with a capacity of 82.5 m鲁.
The system provides a total active residence time of ~45 minutes. The first two reactors are equipped for dosing NaOH and Na鈧侰O鈧�, which are used for the precipitation of calcium carbonate (CaCO鈧�) and magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)鈧�).
Dle Plant Process Overview
FILTRATION
The precipitated calcium and magnesium cake from the reaction tanks is pumped to the filtration stage.
The filtration stage consists of two membrane filters – one in operation and one on standby.
Each filter press is equipped with a total of 155 polypropylene (PP) filter plates.
The mass flow rate of each filter press is 203 t/h, with a solid concentration of 0.6%.
The filtration area per chamber is 3.66 m虏, giving a total filtration area of 564 m虏 per filter press. The target cake thickness before squeezing is 35 mm The total wet cake volume per filter press is 8.9 m鲁.
Dle Plant Process Overview
BORON, CALCIUM, MANGESIUM EXCHANGE (IX)
The polishing step consists of a two-stage ion exchange (IX) system. The first stage removes residual calcium and magnesium from the brine solution. The second stage performs boron ion exchange for further purification.
Each IX stage consists of three columns operating in a lead鈥� lag and regeneration configuration. The columns are constructed from fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP).
The IX stages are provided as a full turnkey solution, designed for plug-and-play operation. Each stage is supplied with online regeneration support system.
Dle Plant Process Overview
BRINE EVAPORATOR
The brine evaporation stage consists of two falling-film evaporators and a sodium chloride crystallizer. The system includes two standalone brine evaporator stages, each capable of handling a feed flow rate of ~190 m鲁/hr with output capacity of 22,500 tpa of LCE.
The stage also includes two pusher centrifuge systems for the separation and removal of sodium chloride crystals. Centrifuges are designed for a total solids throughput (dry basis) of 9.18 t/h.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
Lowest
CapEX & OpEX
Industry-Leading Efficiency
Unmatched Cost Efficiency Across the Industry.
100k+
Mineral Acres
Rich Lithium Resources
Spanning 100,000+ acres, with lithium concentrations ranging from 300 to 1,150 mg/L.
3rd
Party Verified
Trusted Data Integrity
Independent validation of resource estimates and engineering ensures reliable and accurate results.
52k
Tonnes/Year
Tier 1 Capacity
Output targets place Project Black Giant鈩� among industry leaders for production capacity.
Environmental Sustainability
Project Black Giant鈩� isn鈥檛 just a technological breakthrough 鈥� it鈥檚 a commitment to the planet and the people who call it home.
We鈥檙e redefining what responsible innovation looks like:
Zero Water Extraction
We respect and protect the land. Our process uses no water from or around the salar 鈥� a critical promise to the local Indigenous community and the delicate ecosystems they鈥檝e stewarded for generations.
Powered By The Sun
Nearly 80% of our operations run on solar energy, dramatically reducing our carbon footprint and proving that clean energy can power industry at scale.
We believe the future is sustainable 鈥� and we鈥檙e building it, one bold step at a time.
Our Journey
Project Black Giant鈩� marks a major step forward for 不良研究所, with key milestones including groundbreaking technology deployment, strategic partnerships, and accelerated progress toward scalable lithium production.
2023
Chile Lithium
Resource Acquisition
不良研究所 purchases its first wholly owned lithium resource (Project Black Giant) in IRA-compliant Chile. 100,000+ acres in Salar de Punta Negra.
Q2 2024
Drilling Commences
14-hole Phase 1 Drilling Program is complete, and are now underway with Phase 2 Drilling.
q4 2024
54,000-square-foot Facility
Crews from the U.S.traveling regularly to support operations. 不良研究所 has fully built out a 54,000-square-foot facility鈥攊ncluding laboratories, offices, a cantina, and pilot/demo facilities鈥攖o process Black Giant brine
Q1 2025
Worley Completes PFS
不良研究所 brings on Worley (Tier 1 EPC) to complete design and engineering PFS for both US and Chile projects
2023
Chile Lithium
Resource Acquisition
不良研究所 purchases its first wholly owned lithium resource (Project Black Giant) in IRA-compliant Chile. 100,000+ acres in Salar de Punta Negra.
Drilling Commences
14-hole Phase 1 Drilling Program is complete, and are now underway with Phase 2 Drilling.
Q2 2024
Q3 2024
$690m Debt LOI
不良研究所 signs LOI for $690 million project finance with US Export Import Bank (EXIM) in July 2024 to supply the debt for Project Black Giant in Chile
54,000-square-foot facility
Crews from the U.S.traveling regularly to support operations. 不良研究所 has fully built out a 54,000-square-foot facility鈥攊ncluding laboratories, offices, a cantina, and pilot/demo facilities鈥攖o process Black Giant brine
Q4 2024
Q1 2025
Worley Completes PFS
不良研究所 brings on Worley (Tier 1 EPC) to complete design and engineering PFS for both US and Chile projects
The World Is Watching Project Black Giant鈩�
We鈥檝e been featured by some of the most influential voices in the media worldwide. Explore some of the top stories below:
