Australian listed lithium producer Vulcan Energy has unveiled details of its proposed phase 2 lithium project in Germany's Ludwigshafen region, including targeted 21,100 t/yr of battery-grade lithium carbonate output, having freshly completed its preliminary feasibility study (PFS).
The firm floated the idea of selling products from Project Ludwig to the EU market, according to Vulcan's announcement on 3 September detailing the PFS results. Vulcan earlier this year started construction of its phase 1, the integrated Lionheart project in Germany, with the 24,000 t/yr of lithium hydroxide operation set to begin production in 2028.
The PFS put Ludwig's C1 costs on a comparable ground with its Lionheart project. Ludwig's C1 cost is estimated at €4,101/t ($4,750/t) of lithium carbonate, while Lionheart's C1 cost is €3,588/t of lithium hydroxide monohydrate, which translates to $4,077/t of lithium carbonate equivalent. Both Ludwig and Lionheart sit within the lowest cost quartile on the global lithium project cost curve, Vulcan said.
Capital expenditure for Ludwig is expected to be lower at about €1.26bn compared to Lionheart's near €1.48bn, according to Vulcan's announcement. A final investment decision for Ludwig will be made after Lionheart begins production, Vulcan said, which suggests an FID only around 2028.
Vulcan's PFS positions Ludwig as an integrated geothermal heat energy and lithium project, featuring heat co-product. Lithium chloride concentrate will be extracted via direct lithium extraction technology after geothermal brine is piped to a central processing facility, and the brine's thermal energy will be utilised to support operations and for external sales.
