Lithium demand is already high and is growing year on year . Over the next 10-20 years , lithium will become the most important natural resource in the world . As our society transitions to a fully sustainable future , EnergyX will tackle the hardest problems for the production of lithium and many aspects of energy storage .”

EnergyX CEO Teague Egan is a man on a mission … The lightbulb moment that proved to be the genesis for his fledgling company came when the young entrepreneur was on a sabbatical exploring South America . As he ventured across the Salar de Uyuni , in the mountains of Bolivia , he came to learn the area was not only the world ’ s largest salt flat at 4,000 square miles but also that the world ’ s single largest lithium reserve was held in the salt brines below . Part of a larger area known as the ‘ Lithium Triangle ’, up to 75 % of the world ’ s lithium is captured in this small area between Chile , Argentina and Bolivia . Primarily untapped , Egan recognised a huge opportunity . EnergyX was born .

Electric Vehicles Thanks to the electric vehicle revolution , the demand for battery metals like lithium is rocketing . “ The future is going to be powered by lithium and batteries , but we ' re not prepared to supply oncoming demand with the current methods of manufacturing ,” says Egan . “ The answer is direct lithium

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Mining Digital July 2021 | Page 59

How a visionary startup is supporting the global transition to sustainable energy with direct lithium extraction technologies and the development of effective energy storage solutions

How a visionary startup is supporting the global transition to sustainable energy with direct lithium extraction technologies and the development of effective energy storage solutions