CENTURY LITHIUM REPORTS LITHIUM METAL FROM ANGEL ISLAND DEMONSTRATED IN BATTERY CELLS UNDER U.S. ARMY SBIR PROGRAM
The U.S. Army SBIR demo validates domestic lithium metal anode potential at Angel Island.
Century Lithium Corp. announced that lithium carbonate from its 100%-owned Angel Island Lithium Project in Nevada was successfully converted into lithium metal and incorporated into battery cells. The conversion was performed by Alpha-En Corporation using a proprietary membrane extraction and electrodeposition process, while EaglePicher Technologies manufactured cylindrical cells incorporating the lithium metal anodes.
The demonstration was supported by the U.S. Army Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Initial discharge results showed higher operating voltages and improved power performance compared to control cells. The initiative aims to accelerate technologies for national defense and secure domestic supply chains, reducing reliance on foreign sources.
Century Lithium Corp. (LCE) released a technical validation milestone that follows a clear progression of metallurgical updates, including rare earth element recovery validation in December 2025, lithium hydroxide production in October 2025, and demonstration plant relocation in October and November 2025. The U.S. Army SBIR program provided non-dilutive R&D funding that validates the technical feasibility of the chloride leaching and direct lithium extraction process for advanced battery applications.
No new financing, offtake agreements, or permitting approvals are attached to this announcement. The company remains in the pre-revenue, permitting stage, and the announcement does not alter the $997M Phase 1 capital requirement or the 2026 Feasibility Study economics.
Century Lithium Corp. (LCE) is developing the Angel Island Lithium Project in Esmeralda County, Nevada. The project hosts one of the largest sedimentary lithium claystone deposits in the U.S., with 100% ownership on federal mining claims.
The 2026 NI 43-101 Feasibility Study outlines a 40-year mine life (60+ years total resource life) with an average production of ~26,500 tpa of battery-grade lithium carbonate. Base case economics include a $4.01B after-tax NPV (8% discount), 27.4% IRR, and $4,389/t operating costs.
The process utilizes a patent-pending chlor-alkali technology that generates hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide on-site from salt, eliminating sulfuric acid reliance and creating a significant NaOH co-product credit. The project is designated under the FAST-41 Transparency Dashboard, accelerating federal permitting coordination.