Australia-based ioneer Ltd and US-based NexTech Batteries have signed a memorandum of understanding for Nevada lithium to be used in next-generation lithium-sulphur batteries produced in Nevada, Kallanish reports.

The lithium would come from ioneer’s planned Rhyolite Ridge lithium-boron project and would go to NexTech’s production facility in Carson City, Nevada. The two companies intend to discuss the potential for long-term supply to NexTech once the mine project has started operations. The MOU was signed by subsidiary ioneer USA Corporation and NexTech. The two companies were introduced by Nevada development officials.

ioneer says it expects to produce about 20,600 tonnes/year of lithium carbonate or about 22,000 t/y of lithium hydroxide, along with about 174,400 t/y of boric acid over the mine’s 26 years of operation. Production is expected to begin in late 2023 in Nevada’s Esmeralda County.

The company wants to develop the project, even as the US Fish and Wildlife Service says it intends to protect a rare Nevada wildflower under the federal Endangered Species Act. The company says its mine can co-exist with the Tiehm’s buckwheat and the company’s conservation and protection measures could aid the plant in its recovery.

A final decision on the endangered species designation must be released by 30 September. The US Fish & Wildlife Service has proposed a 910-acre critical habitat be set aside for the plant. It only grows in the Silver Peak Range in soils with high levels of lithium and boron.

The mine project near Tonopah, Nevada, has lithium and boron resources totalling 146.5 million t. The two deposits are 4 kilometres apart.