Rain City signs PUC deal to test lithium DLE tech

Executive Summary

• Rain City Resources Inc. has executed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (PUC) to validate its Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology, specifically the Cavitation DLE solution, on world-class lithium brines.
• The partnership aims to provide third-party validation of the technology's performance on representative brines from the Maricunga and La Isla salars, which are among the highest-grade lithium resources globally.
• The agreement includes a strict 12-month timeline for both parties to establish binding operational agreements, signaling a clear pathway from validation to commercial application and aligning with Chile's national strategy for sustainable lithium production.

Key Details

• Parties Involved: Rain City Resources Inc. and the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (PUC).
• Agreement Type: Memorandum of Agreement (MoA).
• Technology Validated: Cavitation DLE (Direct Lithium Extraction) technology, previously tested in a pilot in Pennsylvania.
• Target Brines for Testing:
  • Maricunga: Operated by SQM (part of the Codelco-Rio Tinto JV); contains approx. 479,000 tonnes of proven and probable lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) reserves.
  • La Isla: Hosts approx. 2.13 million tonnes of lithium metal in a resource category; to be developed by the Rio Tinto-ENAMI joint venture.
• Strategic Alignment: The project supports Chile's objective for sustainable, low-impact lithium production, specifically addressing net-zero water consumption concerns.
• Timeline: Binding operational agreements must be established within 12 months of the MoA execution.
• Exclusivity: The agreement is exclusively with the PUC and does not imply a commercial relationship with the operators of the Maricunga or La Isla salars.
• Validation Scope: Includes sustainability assessments to meet stringent environmental standards demanded by the Chilean government, automotive industry, and institutional investors.

Notable Quotes

• Benjamin Hill, CEO: "The PUC has long served as a key technological validator for industry leaders such as SQM, Albemarle, ENAMI, Codelco and Rio Tinto, and we welcome being tested under the same rigorous protocols applied to these global operators. This level of validation significantly reduces perceived technology risk for investors, strategic partners and potential customers."
• Benjamin Hill, CEO: "By demonstrating its performance on representative brines from Maricunga and La Isla, two of the world's highest-grade lithium resources, we are positioning ourselves at the crossroads of sustainable innovation and the projects that will power the global energy transition. The 12-month execution commitment ensures this partnership will deliver tangible, measurable results for our shareholders."