ABTC receives contract for $57M grant from US DOE

American Battery Technology Co., a Reno, Nevada-based battery materials company commercializing both its primary minerals manufacturing and secondary minerals lithium-ion battery (LIB) recycling technologies, has received its $57 million contract award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for a multiyear project to design, construct and operate a commercial-scale lithium hydroxide manufacturing facility in Tonopah, Nevada.

The company says the grant contract award marks a milestone in the commercialization of its Tonopah Flats Lithium Project, which is designed to provide commercial-scale quantities of low-cost, low environmental impact, domestic critical mineral lithium hydroxide for a clean energy transition in the U.S. ABTC adds that, based on a recent third-party audited SK-1300-compliant inferred resource report, the Tonopah Flats Lithium Project is one of the largest known lithium resources in the U.S., containing approximately 15.8 million tons of economically accessible lithium on a carbonate equivalent basis.

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ABTC says this project engages several partners, including DuPont Water Solutions, the University of Nevada, Reno, and the Argonne National Laboratory to support the commercialization of this new facility for the manufacturing of domestically produced critical battery minerals.

Back in April, ABTC engaged Overland Park, Kansas-based infrastructure solutions company Black & Veatch for the engineering, procurement and construction of the lithium hydroxide refinery, based on ABTC’s internally developed processing techniques.

The competitive federal grant was established through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which included the Battery Material Processing and Component Manufacturing Act, sponsored by U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez-Masto of Nevada.

“I’m proud to support the Nevada businesses and workers who are mining, processing and recycling the critical minerals necessary to grow our clean energy economy,” Cortez-Masto says in a release. “This program I established will deliver funding to create new jobs in our state, bolster our lithium supply chain and help drive our sustainable future.”

U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada says, “As we continue towards a clean energy future, it’s important that Nevada leads the way by bolstering domestic energy manufacturing and creating jobs. I’m thrilled the American Battery Technology Co. is receiving the funding I helped secure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law so that Nevada can continue to lead the nation in battery manufacturing.”

In line with Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo’s five-year economic plan, ABTC says its efforts to secure a sustainable, domestic supply of battery-grade lithium hydroxide aims to support the development of local permanent jobs, infrastructure improvements and educational opportunities. By leveraging resources and expertise of collaborating grant partners, like the Governor’s office of Economic Development and the University of Nevada, Reno, the company claims its project has the potential to create over 150 new skilled regional jobs and foster local community-driven betterment through an environmental and equity focused micro-grants program.

“This project is an exciting opportunity for the American Battery Technology Co. and our entire state,” Lombardo says. “Not only does this project represent a milestone in our efforts to diversify our state’s economy, but it highlights how companies are leading the way in new technology and innovation right here in Nevada.”