Oil Giant ExxonMobil Jumps on Lithium Wagon

E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) Takes Center Stage as US Giant ExxonMobil’s Moves into Lithium

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ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) has made a telling move by acquiring drilling rights to a sizeable area in southern Arkansas, believed to be rich in the rock star of battery metals: lithium.

The Wall Street Journal reported the oil giant paid $100 million to exploration company Galvanic Energy for the 120,000-acre property,1 estimated to contain enough lithium to supply 50 million electric vehicles (EVs)2 and is already in talks with Tesla, VW and Ford in an effort to secure buyers amid the EV boom.3

Chevron, Occidental Petroleum and SLB, the world’s biggest oil-services provider, have all said they’re considering or actively exploring opportunities in the metal.

Screenshot 2023 08 30 at 11.09.39 AM Oil Giant ExxonMobil Jumps on Lithium Wagon

Enter E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3), geared to be a lithium powerhouse for the next two decades and to potentially become Canada’s first lithium from brine producer

With Canada’s largest recorded lithium resources and an enviable stake in the thriving province of Alberta, Canada, E3 Lithium is prepared to redefine the lithium landscape as we know it.

Watch Below – E3 Lithium CEO Chris Doornbos featured on CTV National News 

As the surge in demand spirals prices to ‘Insane Levels’ – in the words of Tesla’s Elon Musk, with top lithium bids soaring by 140% in 2022 alone4 – E3 Lithium has readied itself to ride the crest of this wave. 

The lithium landscape is witnessing an avalanche of factors that may render current price projections a mere understatement.

Riding this wave of change is a swelling refrain of concern aimed at traditional lithium miners, called out for falling short on their ESG commitments.5 

With these forces at play, it’s no surprise that the market spotlight is shifting toward lithium initiatives. The ones catching the eye? Those blending a vision for enduring lithium production with a dedication to ESG principles, nestled securely within trustworthy jurisdictions.

E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3), a trailblazer not only in its commanding presence in the economically vibrant region of Alberta, Canada is the holder of Canada’s largest Measured & Indicated (M&I) lithium resource

Earlier this year E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) made an announcement that electrified the industry – their resource was upgraded to 16.0 million tonnes (Mt) of Measured and Indicated (M&I) lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) at their Clearwater Lithium Project, claiming the crown for the largest M&I lithium resource in all of Canada.6 

This is a game-changer that simply cannot go unnoticed.  

Now let’s break down the numerous reasons E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) is poised to be a key player in the coming lithium shortage crisis.

Discover How E3 Lithium is Scaling Up Its Technology Towards Commercialization! Click Here to Download the Company Presentation!

E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) just released some extraordinary news that simply can’t be ignored – it has upgraded its resource to 16.0 million tonnes (Mt) Measured and Indicated (M&I) lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) at its Clearwater Lithium Project – making it the largest M&I lithium resource in Canada.5

And believe it or not, this is just one of the many accomplishments this company has achieved. Now let’s break down the numerous reasons E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3)  is poised to be a key player in the coming lithium shortage crisis.

8 Reasons

To Invest in E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) may be a Lithium Production Game Changer

1  Lithium Market is Booming: Thanks to surging demand for EVs and lithium-ion batteries for tech, the world is scrambling for lithium supply, with structural shortages in the lithium market for years to come.

2 Flagship Asset with Globally Significant Resource: With 16 million tonnes of Measured and Indicated (M&I) LCE on the books, E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) has the largest M&I LCE resource in Canada. This only entails about 70% of the company’s entire permit area.

3 Very  Attractive Economics: The project outlines a US$1.1B NPV (8%), for just the first phase of production of 20,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide annually over the first 20 years, according to ETL’s Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA)7

4 Proprietary, ESG-Friendly Technology: 100% brine aquifer reinjection and a small land footprint makes the company’s proprietary DLE ion-exchange technology a potential monumental game changer in the lithium space

5 Well-Funded: In November, E3 Lithium received a C$27 million investment from the Government of Canada’s Innovation, Science and Economic Development’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF).8 Since then it has been granted another C$3.545 million from the Government of Canada9 and gained $4.9 million since Q3 2022 from the exercise of warrants from financings that closed in December 2020 and February 2021.

6 World-Class Jurisdiction: Within industry-friendly Alberta, E3 Lithium is capitalizing on the famous “Alberta Advantage”, with over 600,000 hectares of brine permits in an area where 4,000 oil and gas wells have already been drilled to date.10

7 Progressing Towards Commercial Operations: Using brines derived from drilling Alberta’s first brine production wells in the Clearwater Project area, the company is steadily progressing towards commercial production in 2026.

8 Strong Leadership Team: Proven management team with over 150 years of combined experience in emerging technologies, finance, mining, petroleum and unconventional resource plays, including Peter Ratzlaff, who has over 30 years of experience in engineering and production/operations at companies like ConocoPhillips and Independent director Kevin Stashin, an oil and gas executive with over 40 years of experience and companies like Devon Canada Corp, Anderson Exploration, and Petro-Canada.

Lithium: The Next Gold Rush

image17 Oil Giant ExxonMobil Jumps on Lithium Wagon It can’t be stressed enough how big of an opportunity the lithium market presents at this stage in time. We’re living through a wild shift, with lithium consumption nearly quadrupling since 2010.11 

“I’d certainly encourage entrepreneurs out there who are looking for opportunities to get into the lithium business. We think we’re going to need to help the industry on this front.”

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Inc. 

Clearly it’s time for something big to hit the lithium market, and give consumers something to hope for. This is where E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) is not only well-equipped but also perfectly timed to succeed.

E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) is Targeting Commercial Production by 2026

Unlike conventional lithium producers like Albemarle and Lithium Americas, who produce from evaporation ponds and/or hard rock mining, E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) has a unique strategy to succeed.

E3 Lithium has outlined a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) from third-party experts, revealing that its proprietary DLE ion-exchange technology, large resource, and favorable jurisdiction are ideal for lithium development.

ETL Chart 8 Oil Giant ExxonMobil Jumps on Lithium Wagon

As you can see from the chart above, despite having a significant LCE resource compared to Vulcan Resources, Standard Lithium and Lithium Americas, E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) is trading at least a fifth of the price.

ETL 1 2 Oil Giant ExxonMobil Jumps on Lithium Wagon E3 Lithium also has a tidy share structure and is well-funded after getting a hefty C$27 million grant from the Government of Canada and C$3.545 million in funding from Natural Resources Canada’s Critical Minerals Research, Development, and Demonstration (CMRDD) program,15 a part of the Government of Canada’s federal Budget 2021. E3 Lithium was chosen as one of six organizations throughout Canada.

E3 Lithium also received $4.9 million since Q3 2022 from the exercise of warrants from financings that closed in December 2020 and February 2021.  In June 2023, E3 Lithium closed a bought deal public offering for gross proceeds of more than $5 million.16 The Company received a $375,000 progress payment from Alberta Innovates and has claimed a total of $7.0 million in reimbursable and non-reimbursable awards to date.17

Globally Significant Lithium Resource In Energy-Friendly Alberta

ETL 2 Oil Giant ExxonMobil Jumps on Lithium WagonAs mentioned, E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) just upgraded its mineral resource to 16 Mt Measured & Indicated (M&I), which includes 6.6 Mt of LCE Measured and 9.4 Mt of LCE Indicated, making it the largest M&I lithium resource in Canada.

The project economics are also very attractive. According to the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) on the Clearwater Lithium Project, it has an NPV 8% of US$1.1 billion with a 32% IRR before taxes and US$820 million with a 27% IRR after taxes.

Now that the resource has been upgraded, E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) will focus on completing a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) by the end of the year, which will outline the detailed plans for its first commercial facility and one of the world’s first DLE reserves. 

Following the completion of the PFS, E3 Lithium plans to conduct a Feasibility Study (FS), obtain all necessary regulatory approvals and deliver a project finance arrangement to enable the construction of its first commercial facility in Alberta.

The ‘Alberta Advantage’

E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) owns over 600,000 hectares (~1.48 million acres) in industry-friendly Alberta, where the government has committed to a strategy that it hopes will help the province become an international player in mineral extraction—and they believe E3 Lithium will help them get there.18

The province has provided $1.8 million to E3 Lithium in grant funding, as historically there have been over 4,000 oil and gas wells drilled within the same areas of the company’s brine permits.

E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) began by re-entering these wells to conduct sampling and testing and leverage over 70 years of historical data to understand the lithium potential at depth. The company has already drilled its first brine production wells19 the first of its kind in Alberta.20

As part of its first exploratory drill program, E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) has pulled up brine samples from each well to verify lithium concentrations and production testing, confirming flow rates and deliverability from the Leduc Reservoir. In the first well, E3 Lithium achieved its total planned depth of 2,670 meters (m) in its first well, allowing for full data collection, including 36.9 meters of core sample. It also reached total depth in its second well. The company acquired an existing well for its third, saving about $1.5M.21 

E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) found consistent concentrations of lithium in the Leduc Aquifer from its three wells. The first well showed a P50 lithium concentration of 76.5 mg/L in a previously untested area.22  The second well, 20 km south of the first, showed consistent concentrations of 74 mg/L.23  The third well showed consistent thickness of 202 meters and a concentration of 74 mg/L from a single interval.24

Alberta’s First Lithium Mogul

If Canada is going to fulfill its electric vehicle production goals, it’s going to Screen Shot 2023 03 20 at 5.57.40 PM Oil Giant ExxonMobil Jumps on Lithium Wagonneed companies like E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) and visionary CEOs like Chris Doornbos, who was just ranked among the Top 10 EV Entrepreneurs in 2023.25

According to Maclean Magazine’s Power List 2023, Doornbos could become Alberta’s very first lithium baron.  

Alberta has historically been focused on oil and gas, but the future could be all about lithium due to the resource at E3 Lithium’s project. 

The article outlined the company’s milestones along its pathway to commercialization which it is anticipating as early as 2026. 

The Clearwater project could produce 20,000 tonnes of lithium annually starting in 2026 which Maclean’s describes as being enough for 300,000 Teslas.

Doornbos was also recently ranked among Auto News’ list of 2023 Canadians to Watch thanks to the company’s aim to produce lithium in an environmentally conscious way. 26

ESG-Friendly Lithium Ion-Exchange Tech: The Next Generation of Li Production

Beyond the globally-significant lithium resource, one of E3 Lithium’s most promising assets is its Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) Ion-Extraction Technology, which utilizes a proprietary sorbent designed to be highly selective towards lithium ions.

At an energy conference in April 2022, US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm had this to say about DLE: “It’s such a game-changer. There’s huge opportunities.”27

DLE’s potential has drawn the interest of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway to the tune of a $15 million investment to test the technology at California’s Salton Sea—ahead of what is proposed to result in a multibillion-dollar production facility, capable of producing 90,000 metric tons of lithium per year. image2 Oil Giant ExxonMobil Jumps on Lithium Wagon On February 2, E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) reached a monumental milestone in the development of its Lithium Ion-Exchange (Li-IX) pilot plant in the Clearwater Project Area, which is now on track to begin construction and operation in Q3 2023.

Read more about the pilot project with Imperial Oil here

The pilot plant is a crucial step in unlocking the value of E3 Lithium‘s lithium resources. At the pilot scale, demonstrating Li-IX technology significantly de-risks the commercial design.

E3 Lithium‘s (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) lab results demonstrated lithium recoveries consistently exceeding 90%, with peak recoveries exceeding 95% and high contaminant rejection exceeding 98% removal. image8 Oil Giant ExxonMobil Jumps on Lithium Wagon E3 Lithium’s resource – the Leduc Reservoir is capable of producing 130,000m3 of brine per day via its Clearwater Project Area alone (PEA basis) and plans to utilize a closed loop system, with 100% brine re-injection.

E3 Lithium’s DLE technology generates a high-purity concentrate solution. Refinement of the lithium concentrate results in battery-quality lithium hydroxide for direct sale to battery manufacturers that could include Tesla, Panasonic or others.

E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL)(OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) has partnered up with Pure Lithium to create its first successful lithium metal battery using lithium from its resources to demonstrate the proof of concept. Now they are completing a series of testing to define how their technologies can be combined to produce a commercially-viable production process for lithium metal batteries and electrodes.

E3 Lithium‘s groundbreaking pilot project for direct lithium extraction is gathering momentum. The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has issued the green light for the venture, set to begin operations in Q3 2023.28 It will be locatedin E3 Lithium‘s Clearwater Project Area, east of the Town of Olds,  at the first well drilled in E3 Lithium’s 2022 initial drill program. KPIs on expected performance were published in June.29 

Construction is in full swing and the excitement is palpable. Essential equipment started arriving in June, with the completion and commissioning on the horizon for August.

To top it off, E3 Lithium has enlisted Fluor, an industry powerhouse, to lead the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) for the commercial project. Fluor will steer this integral part of the project, synchronizing with several other contracted firms to ensure the technical and environmental factors are meticulously addressed. Stay tuned, because E3 Lithium’s innovative journey is well underway!

By actively examining commercially accessible technologies and lowering risk, E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL)(OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) believes it may shorten the project development schedule and have a commercial plant by 2026.

Discover How E3 Lithium is Scaling Up Its Technology Towards Commercialization! Click Here to Download the Company Presentation!

Incredibly ESG Friendly

E3 Lithium’s DLE provides the potential for industry-leading ESG, and carbon sequestration in Alberta offers the potential for Carbon Neutrality.30

100% of the brine brought to surface for lithium extraction will be recycled back into the aquifer. Less than 3% of land is anticipated to be required for E3 Lithium’s development compared to similar conventional lithium projects.

And on top of all that, E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) process requires no open pit mining, tailings ponds or evaporative ponds.

Last September, E3 Lithium recently acquired31 a third-party well in its Clearwater Project Area within the Bashaw District, allowing the repurposing of the oil and gas infrastructure and reducing the environmental footprint associated with E3 Lithium’s inaugural drilling program for a potential cost savings of more than $1.5 million. The Company has filed its 43-101 Technical Report: Lithium Resource Estimate, Bashaw District Project, Central Alberta.32

Strong Leadership Team

It takes more than just a friendly business jurisdiction to make something like this work. Thankfully, E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) is in VERY capable hands. 

Chris Oil Giant ExxonMobil Jumps on Lithium WagonChris Doornbos P. GeoPresident, CEO and Director

Chris is an entrepreneur, aviator and founder of emerging ideas and technology, with a passion for collaboration and innovation. He is the founder of E3 Lithium, a world leading lithium resource and technology development company. Chris emphasizes risk management, developing and managing an exceptional technical team and well-strategized project generation; with a clear focus on developing and capturing value for shareholders. Chris has a broad range of experience in capital raising, project execution and M&A. Chris is a founding member of the Battery Metals Association of Canada and former Chair of the Canada ISO mirror committee for TC333 (lithium standards).

Raymond Oil Giant ExxonMobil Jumps on Lithium WagonRaymond Cho, CPA, CACFO

Raymond is a dynamic senior finance professional with more than 20 years of finance and accounting experience in high growth companies and corporate financial services. He served at ATB Financial in the project finance group and previously held progressively senior roles within the energy industry. His experience includes go-public initiatives, M&A transactions totaling over a billion dollars in value and expertise in the financial reporting functions for public companies. Raymond is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and articled at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Kevin Oil Giant ExxonMobil Jumps on Lithium WagonKevin Carroll, P.EngCDO

Kevin is a professional engineer with more than 30 years of operations and engineering experience. He co-founded Huron Resources in 2013, leading the engineering team and providing technical direction for the company. Prior to that, his experience includes Shell Canada, Star Oil & Gas, ARC Resources and Huron Energy. He is an expert in managing facility and infrastructure projects, drilling and completion programs along with development planning and subsurface engineering activities. He brings extensive landowner, Indigenous, Crown and regulatory stakeholder relations experience, particularly for developing projects, and has implemented HSE and technical integrity programs at prior companies.

Leigh Oil Giant ExxonMobil Jumps on Lithium WagonLeigh Clarke, LL.BVP Corporate Development

A second generation Calgarian, Leigh practiced regulatory and energy law for ten years before moving into management where he has helped a variety of energy companies manage legal and governance risks as well as all aspects of stakeholder engagement. With more than 30 years of experience in the energy and utilities industries, Leigh has taken on and delivered tangible results leading numerous strategic executive leadership responsibilities. Prior to joining E3 Lithium, Leigh held senior leadership positions at TransAlta, AltaLink and the Balancing Pool of Alberta.

Peter Oil Giant ExxonMobil Jumps on Lithium WagonPeter Ratzlaff P.EngVP, Resource Development

Peter has more than 30 years of diversified engineering, production and operations experience. His experience includes managing production strategy, field operations and capital programs in the oil and gas industry. Prior to joining E3 Lithium in 2021, Mr. Ratzlaff was Manager, Operations at Huron Resources Corp. from 2016 to 2020. From 2010 to 2016, Peter held the role of Production Manager at Cequence Energy Ltd. Prior to Cequence, he held progressively senior roles with public companies including Canadian Hunter Exploration, Burlington Resources and ConocoPhillips. Peter has a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Calgary and is an APEGA Registered Professional Engineer.

Brian Oil Giant ExxonMobil Jumps on Lithium WagonBrian Ceelen, P.EngDirector, Commercial Development

With over 15 years of experience in the energy industry, Brian’s expertise spans capital projects, operations, corporate strategy, project management and commercial development. Prior to joining E3 Lithium, Brian spent 10 years in technical and commercial roles at Shell Canada before joining Steel Reef Infrastructure Corp., most recently holding the position of Manager, Business Development. Brian is a graduate of the University of Alberta with Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

Caroline Oil Giant ExxonMobil Jumps on Lithium WagonCaroline Mussbacher, B.Sc, P.EngDirector, DLE Commercialization

Caroline is an industry leading expert in ion exchange and direct lithium extraction with almost 20 years of experience working with produced water and brines in the Alberta oilsands and unconventional resource plays. Caroline has designed and operated water treatment systems on both the pilot and commercial scale and has experience commissioning and troubleshooting in real time to drive exceptional performance. Caroline is a graduate of the University of Alberta with degrees in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.

Robin Oil Giant ExxonMobil Jumps on Lithium WagonRobin Boschman, MBADirector, External Relations

Robin has more than 15 years of experience in external relations in the energy and utilities sectors. Her experience involves leading communications teams and strategies in private, public and global organizations spanning investor relations, media relations, crisis communications, financial communication, employee and stakeholder relations, marketing and PR and social investment. Robin has a Bachelor of Applied Communications in Public Relations degree from Mount Royal University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Calgary. She has completed the Canadian Securities Course and the International Association for Public Participation’s Public Participation Certificate. Robin is a Director of the Battery Metals Association of Canada.

8 Reasons

To Seriously Look Into E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3)

1 Booming Market: Growing demand for EVs and lithium-ion batteries has created a global scramble for lithium supply, resulting in structural shortages for years to come

2 Globally Significant Resource: E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) boasts Canada’s largest LCE resources, with 16 Mt M&I LCE on the books, representing only 70% of the company’s entire resource area.

3 Attractive Economics: E3 Lithium‘s PEA reveals a US$1.1B NPV (8%) for the first phase of production of 20,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide annually over 20 years.

4 Proprietary and ESG-Friendly Technology: Proprietary DLE ion exchange technology boasts 100% brine disposal and a small land footprint, potentially revolutionizing the lithium space.

5 World-Class Jurisdiction: E3 Lithium operates in industry-friendly Alberta, capitalizing on the famous “Alberta Advantage,” with over 600,000 hectares of brine permits in an area with a history of successful oil and gas drilling.

6 Progressing Towards Commercial Operations: E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) is steadily moving towards commercial production in 2026, using brines derived from drilling Alberta’s first brine production wells in the Clearwater Project area

7 Well-Funded: In November, E3 Lithium received a C$27 million investment from the Government of Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund,33 followed by another C$3.545 million from the Government of Canada’s CMRDD program.34 The company also gained $4.9 million since Q3 2022 from the exercise of warrants from financings that closed in December 2020 and February 2021.35

8 Strong Leadership Team: E3 Lithium‘s management team has over 150 years of combined experience in emerging technologies, finance, mining, petroleum, and unconventional resource plays, including Peter Ratzlaff, who has over 25 years of experience in engineering and production/operations at companies like ConocoPhillips, and Kevin Stashin, an oil and gas executive with over 40 years of experience at companies like Devon Canada Corp, Anderson Exploration, and Petro-Canada.

E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) has plenty of potential to make a significant impact in the lithium market, with its large land portfolio, globally-significant resource, and potentially industry-changing DLE technology, making this an ideal time for investors to follow this story.

So, make sure you don’t miss out on any of E3 Lithium’s (TSXV:ETL) (OTCQX:EEMMF) (FSE:OW3) news and milestones by clicking here to sign up for the company’s newsletter.

Discover How E3 Lithium is Scaling Up Its Technology Towards Commercialization! Click Here to Download the Company Presentation!

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