Battery X Metals Inc. press release
Battery X Metals Highlights 2024 Achievements and Shares Vision for 2025
CSE - Canadian National Stock Exchange · Lithium · Tantalum · Cesium · Rubidium · Tin · Gold · Copper · Canada
News Release Highlights:
Strengthened Balance Sheet: In 2024, Battery X Metals successfully raised $1.77 million through non-brokered financings, reduced liabilities by $1.28 million via equity conversions and renegotiated contractual obligations, and significantly improved its overall capital structure and working capital position.
Technological Innovations: In 2024, the Company advanced its eco-friendly froth flotation technology in partnership with a globally recognized Top 20 University. This effort focused on developing methods to recover battery-grade graphite and other critical materials from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries.
Battery-Technology Portfolio Expansion: In 2024, Battery X Metals acquired a 49% ownership stake in Li-ion Battery Renewable Technologies Inc. (LIBRT). LIBRT achieved key milestones in its proprietary battery diagnostics and rebalancing technologies, setting the stage for future development and commercialization.
Exploration Acquisitions & Results: In 2024, the Company secured 100% ownership of two lithium exploration projects in Quebec, spanning approximately 7,000 hectares (~17,297 acres) in key mining regions. It also advanced exploration at the Belanger Project in Red Lake, Ontario, targeting gold and copper. The Company holds an option to acquire 100% ownership of the Belanger Project, subject to a 3% net smelter royalty.
Vision for 2025: Battery X Metals is focused on advancing the development and validation of battery-grade graphite and critical material recovery technologies, expanding exploration efforts to meet the growing demand for battery and critical minerals, and LIBRT is focused on accelerating the commercialization of its proprietary battery diagnostics and rebalancing solutions, The Company remains committed to driving sustainable innovation in support of the global clean energy transition and the growth of the EV market.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire/ February 24, 2025 / Battery X Metals Inc. (CSE:BATX)(OTCQB:BATXF)(FSE:R0W)( WKN:A3EMJB)("Battery X Metals" or the "Company") an energy transition resource exploration and technology company, is pleased to share its 2024 achievements and its transformative vision for 2025.
Foundation Established to Participate in the Clean Energy and Electric Vehicle Transition Battery X Metals achieved several major corporate and operational milestones in 2024, building a strong foundation for sustainable growth, innovation, and a commitment to advancing clean energies and the electric vehicle (EV) industry. The Company is pursuing a diversified 360° approach in the battery metals industry including the exploration of prospective battery metal properties, the recovery of valuable battery-grade materials from end-of-life batteries and resale of such materials back into the supply chain and the rebalance and extension of lithium-ion and EV batteries lifespan, through its portfolio company, LIBRT.
Battery X Metals takes a comprehensive approach to the lithium-ion battery ecosystem through its innovative initiatives. This includes leveraging its portfolio company, Li-ion Battery Renewable Technologies Inc. ("LIBRT"), which specializes in developing its technology to extend the lifespan of lithium-ion and EV batteries. In addition, Battery X Metals, in partnership with a global top 20 ranked university, focuses on developing proprietary technologies to recover battery-grade materials from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries, and exploring domestic battery and critical mineral projects to bolster the battery supply chain.
"2024 marked a pivotal year for Battery X Metals," stated Massimo Bellini Bressi, CEO of Battery X Metals. "Through strategic acquisitions, we positioned the Company for growth, strengthened our financial foundation, and advanced critical projects and partnerships. Collaborations with a globally recognized top 20 university and progress on exploration initiatives have reinforced our goal to become an active participant in sustainable battery material recovery and exploration. With a clear vision and well-defined priorities, we are ready to make 2025 a breakthrough year of execution, innovation, and growth in the industry."
Vision and Roadmap for 2025 Battery X Metals is committed to sustainability in the battery supply chain through the exploration of critical battery metal properties and the recovery of materials from end-of-life batteries in an eco-friendly way. By avoiding traditional battery material recovery methods which entail smelting and leaching, Battery X Metals aims to minimize environmental impact while addressing material shortages in the lithium-ion and EV battery market.
"We anticipate 2025 will be a transformative year for our Company," added Bellini Bressi. "With a clear roadmap and a dedicated team, we are ready to execute our plans diligently while remaining open to new opportunities that align with our vision. We are confident that our work will not only deliver value to stakeholders but also enable us to participate in the global clean energy and electric vehicle transition."
Looking ahead in 2025, Battery X Metals is focused on building on its foundation built in 2024, and delivering growth across several key areas including:
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Lithium-ion Battery Material Recovery Technology
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Strengthening Exploration Portfolio
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Pioneering Proprietary Lithium-Ion Battery Rebalancing Technology, with LIBRT
Graphite Recovery Breakthrough with Global Top 20 University Research Collaboration Partner Battery X Metals, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Battery X Recycling Technologies Inc., is advancing its sustainable lithium-ion battery recycling technology through its amended research collaboration agreementwith a global top 20 ranked university's Institute of Mining Engineering (the "Global Top 20 University"). The partnership has already yielded promising results, as evidenced by laboratory tests conducted with 500g Nickel, Manganese, and Cobalt (NMC)-dominant black mass samples using Denver Cell flotation devices. The research focuses on advancing proprietary froth flotation technology development designed to recover critical battery-grade materials such as graphite, lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and copper, from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries, supporting a circular and sustainable battery economy.
Graphite, which comprises 95% of lithium-ion battery anodes1, is often neglected in traditional recycling methods, such as hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy2. Battery X Metals' proprietary froth flotation technologyallows cathode-active materials (metal oxides) to be separated from anode-active materials (graphite) without destroying or damaging any of the components, as is often the case with high-temperature treatments3and leachingprocesses4such as pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy.
Achievements in 2024 In 2024, significant progress was made in refining the flotation process for recovering graphite from black mass. Key accomplishments included:
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Optimizing Flotation Conditions: Tests identified the ideal balance of frother and collector, significantly improving froth quality and reducing flotation time.
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Enhanced Efficiency: Pre-washing reduced flotation time from approximately 13-19 minutes to 5-7 minutes, while maintaining consistent recovery and purity.
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Lithium Recovery:The liquid remaining after the flotation process contains a significant amount of dissolved lithium, which can be recovered through alternative recovery methods.
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Areas for Improvement: Challenges such as unwanted flotation of metal oxides and the effects of graphite oxidation were pinpointed, creating opportunities for targeted refinements in the process. The presence of residual binder coatings on oxide particles were found to hinder graphite recovery and reduce the effectiveness of separating graphite from oxides. Current efforts are focused on removing these coatings and mitigating the negative impact of graphite oxidation.
These achievements established a strong foundation for further advancements in graphite recovery and oxide/phosphate separation.
2025 Update and Outlook
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Pre-Washing Results:
As highlighted in 2025 reports, building on the findings from 2024, pre-washing was implemented in 2025 to eliminate lithium ions and humic acids-key impurities that could disrupt flotation efficiency. Flotation tests were conducted under the same conditions using pre-washed black mass, resulting in the following outcomes:
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Faster Process: Pre-washing halved flotation time, with froth stabilizing within 5-7 minutes compared to 13-19 minutes in previous tests.
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Reliable Recovery and Purity: Graphite recovery (~52%) and purity (~55%) remained consistent with prior results.
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Reduced Impurities: Post-flotation wastewater was lighter in color, indicating a reduction in impurities like humic acids, though some remained.
Assay Validation:
Recovery and purity measurements were confirmed through two reliable assay methods:
1. Burning Test: Heating samples to 750°C burned off graphite, with the remaining material used to calculate content. Results matched expectations and confirmed accuracy.
2. Acid Dissolution Test: Metals were dissolved with strong acids, leaving only graphite. This method closely aligned with the burning test, reinforcing consistent recovery rates of ~51-53% and purity levels of ~55-56%.
Conclusion Pre-washing black mass with water significantly reduced flotation time (from 13-19 minutes to 5-7 minutes) but did not improve graphite recovery (~52%) or purity (~55%). Metal oxides continued to float alongside graphite, likely due to binder coatings that were not fully removed.
The presence of yellow-brown impurities in the wash water suggests graphite oxidation, which may be limiting recovery. This could result from battery aging or sample preparation conditions, such as high-temperature drying.
Next steps will focus on testing unoxidized graphite, assessing binder removal techniques, and evaluating phosphate-based black mass samples to determine if oxidation is an inherent issue. While pre-washing improves flotation efficiency, further refinements are needed to enhance separation and recovery.
2. Effect of Solvent Pre-Washing on Flotation Performance:
Building on the pre-washing results, further flotation tests were conducted to evaluate the impact of pre-washing black mass with a solvent. The goal was to determine whether a solvent could remove organic binders from metal oxides, preventing their flotation alongside graphite and improving separation efficiency.
Flotation tests were carried out under identical conditions as prior experiments, using pre-washed black mass with water, followed by an additional solvent wash.
Key Findings:
Graphite Recovery & Grade (Compared to Tests Without Pre-Washing): Single Wash with Solvent (Water + Solvent Pre-Wash): Graphite grade remained consistent at 55.2%, but recovery decreased by ~8.5 percentage points, reaching 42.35% compared to flotation tests using the same frother and collector specifications without pre-washing (50.91%).
Double Wash with Solvent (Water + Solvent + Water Pre-Wash): Graphite grade improved to 59.5%, marking a ~4% increase in purity, but recovery declined further to 39.95%, representing a ~10.9 percentage point drop compared to tests without pre-washing.
Metal Oxide Recovery & Grade: Single Wash with Solvent: Metal oxide recovery increased by ~7.5 percentage points, reaching 75.44% (vs. 67.9% without pre-washing), with a grade of 64.68%.
Double Wash with Solvent: Metal oxide recovery saw a further increase to 78.6% (~10.7 percentage points higher than tests without pre-washing), though the grade slightly dropped to 62.45%.
Effect of Solvent:
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Solvent pre-washing led to a small improvement in graphite purity (~4%), suggesting that some oxide particles were separated from the concentrate.
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However, graphite recovery decreased compared to tests without pre-washing, indicating that while solvent removed some binder material, it did not fully eliminate oxide flotation interference.
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The flotation process proceeded as expected, with froth formation remaining stable.
Flotation Performance:
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The flotation rate remained stable, with froth forming within the expected timeframe.
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Post-flotation wastewater was clear, suggesting a reduction in organic contaminants.
Assay Validation:
To determine the graphite content of each sample, the burning graphite-off test described above was performed. The procedure consisted of taking 2 grams of each sample and placing it in a furnace at 750°C for 2 hours, burning off the graphite. The residual material was then measured to determine the graphite content in each sample.
Conclusion: While solvent pre-washing slightly improved graphite purity, it did not yield a significant advantage in separation efficiency. Graphite recovery declined compared to tests without pre-washing, suggesting that the removal of binder coatings was only partially effective. Metal oxide recovery increased, indicating a greater degree of separation, but the overall benefit of solvent washing remains marginal.
Future Testing Directions: Future recovery technology development, conducted in collaboration with the Global Top 20 University and fully funded through June 30, 2025, will focus on advancing the process through the following initiatives:
Material Separation & Validation
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Conducting tests on unoxidized black mass samples (real-world) and pure model oxide samples (lab-produced) to validate flotation behavior, refine separation efficiency, and improve recovery and purity rates.
Reverse Flotation Optimization
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Testing surfactant-based flotation methods to selectively recover oxides while leaving graphite in the tailings (reverse flotation).
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Optimizing flotation conditions to maximize recovery and purity levels for both graphite and oxides, improving overall material separation.
Phosphate-Based Recovery Studies
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Obtaining and testing phosphate-based black mass samples (both real-world and lab-produced) to validate phosphate separation efficiency and optimize flotation conditions.
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Developing and refining targeted recovery methods to achieve high-purity separation of graphite and phosphates.
Enhanced Recovery Techniques
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Aim to increase graphite recovery rates, validate improvements, and quantify results to enhance separation efficiency, material yield, and purity.
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Work toward advancing oxide and phosphate separation processes using specialized surfactants identified as effective collectors.
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Seek to address variability in black mass composition across different battery chemistries by developing tailored processing solutions to improve recovery efficiency.
These efforts will build on past achievements to develop innovative, sustainable recycling technologies with improved efficiency and environmental benefits.
These results highlight the positive impact of pre-washing on process speed and impurity reduction, while assay results confirmed consistent recovery and purity. Moving forward, the planned research and collaboration provide an exciting opportunity to further refine and enhance the flotation process, driving sustainable recycling solutions and material recovery rates to new heights.
Strategic Vision and Partnership Opportunities Battery X Metals is positioned to participate in the battery recycling industry with its proprietary froth flotation technology, which may enable recovery of battery-grade graphite before recyclers employ traditional hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical processes. This approach could provide recyclers with the flexibility to integrate graphite recovery into their existing workflows without requiring significant operational changes. By addressing a critical gap in current recycling methods, Battery X Metals aims to empower recyclers to enhance material recovery processes while maintaining operational efficiency.
For recyclers seeking a broader transformation aligned with eco-friendly initiatives, Battery X Metals' technology may further optimize the entire material recovery process. Recyclers may alter or overhaul their operations to incorporate the Company's technology, potentially spanning from graphite recovery to the recovery of oxides and phosphates. While this opportunity holds promise, further testing and evaluation will be required to validate recovery rates and optimize processes. Additionally, in due course, the Company plans to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) and commercial-scale equipment requirements for all recovery methods, laying the groundwork for efficient and scalable solutions for its prospective partners.
Key Initiatives in 2025
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Filing of Provisional Patents on Technology:Upon achieving successful validation and optimal recovery efficiency of graphite, oxides, and phosphates, Battery X Metals intends to file provisional patents for its proprietary froth flotation technology to protect its intellectual property.
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Pursue IP Licensing and Joint Ventures: Once provisional patents are granted, the Company plans to license its technology or form joint ventures with existing battery recyclers. This strategy may position Battery X Metals as a downstream technology partner, enabling recyclers to integrate the Company's solutions while unlocking additional value.
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Develop Comprehensive Process Solutions: Battery X Metals is committed to developing and optimizing processes, SOPs, and commercial-scale equipment requirements for all recovery methods, including graphite, oxide, and phosphate recovery. These efforts aim to ensure the technology is reliable, efficient, and adaptable to the diverse operational needs of recyclers.
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Applications Beyond Recycling: Beyond battery recycling, Battery X Metals' froth flotation technology, in success, also has potential applications in the mining sector, with capabilities to recover valuable materials from tailings and other residuals, supporting more sustainable and efficient resource recovery efforts.
Strengthening Exploration Portfolio and Advancing Battery and Critical Mineral Strategies
2024: Strategic Acquisitions and Exploration Advancements
Acquisition of Two Quebec Lithium Exploration Projects Battery X Metals expanded its lithium exploration portfolio by acquiring 100% ownership of two projects in Quebec, Canada: the Nunavik Leaf River Project and the Abitibi Reservoir-Dozois Project. Together, these projects span approximately 7,000 hectares (~17,297 acres), with each site covering around 3,500 hectares (~8,648 acres). Both are situated in highly active lithium exploration regions:
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Leaf River Project (Nunavik, QC):Encompassing 83 claims, this project is strategically located adjacent to Eureka Lithium's New Leaf Project.
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Reservoir-Dozois Project (Abitibi, QC):Covering 52 claims, this project lies near Sayona Mining's Abitibi Lithium Hub, a well-established region for successful lithium exploration.
Both properties are positioned in proximity to significant mining developments. The Nunavik Leaf River Project directly borders Eureka Lithium's New Leaf Project, while the Abitibi Reservoir-Dozois Project is close to Sayona Mining Limited's operations.
Leaf River Project (Nunavik, QC)5 Réservoir-Dozois Project (Abitibi, QC)6
Exploration Results from Gold & Copper, Belanger Project (Red Lake, ON): Battery X Metals advanced exploration at the Belanger Project, located in Ontario's Birch-Uchi Greenstone Belt near Red Lake, one of Canada's most prolific gold districts. The Project spans 109 unpatented claims across four townships. The Company holds an option to acquire 100% ownership (subject to a 3% net smelter royalty), and is required to pay three remaining cash payments of $5,500 each on or before February 28, 2025, April 30, 2025 and June 30, 2025 (for an aggregate total of $16,500). Refer to the Company's January 6, 2025, news releasefor more details on the exploration results.
Belanger Property Location
2025 Vision: Unlocking Exploration Potential Battery X Metals remains committed to unlocking the full potential of its exploration portfolio. Building on the momentum from 2024, Battery X Metals announced on January 24, 2025, that it engaged an arms-length geological consulting firm (the "Geological Firm") to conduct property evaluations and preliminary work programs for the Company's core battery and critical mineral exploration projects. The scope of the engagement includes an assessment of claim status and annual costs, a geological overview of the properties, a review of historical work completed (based on Company-provided data), and recommendations for 2025 field programs to advance strategic exploration initiatives, which remain subject to market conditions, available financial resources, and practical business considerations.