Junior Ioneer has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Shell Canada Energy for the supply of sulphur to Ioneer’s Rhyolite Ridge lithium-boron project, in Nevada.

The MoU builds on a 2019 letter of intent and would see both parties advance discussions into a definitive agreement.

Under the MoU, Ioneer will purchase up to 500 000 t/y of high-quality sulphur from Shell, fulfilling the estimated yearly sulphur requirement for Rhyolite Ridge.

“With this MoU, Ioneer takes another key step to secure sulphur for the Rhyolite Ridge lithium-boron project. Sulphur is a primary input for our process as it will be converted into the sulphuric acid required for leaching the ore as well as releasing heat which is recovered to produce carbon-free power and steam for the facility,” said Ioneer MD Bernard Rowe.

“Shell is an ideal partner for this effort, and we look forward to furthering our partnership together on additional decarbonisation solutions while providing materials for a sustainable future.”

Ioneer is expected to produce an annual average of 20 600 t/y of lithium carbonate/hydroxide and 174 400 t/y of boric acid over the Rhyolite Ridge’s 26-year life. The company said that the dual production of lithium and boric acid allows Ioneer to not only produce lithium in the US, but to do so at the very bottom of the global cost curve.

Ioneer anticipates commencing production in 2025 to support urgent requirements for battery materials in the US.