Lithium Universe (ASX: LU7) appoints ‘world-renowned lithium expert’ to the Board

Highlights

• Lithium Universe has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Dr Jingyuan Liu as Non-Executive Director.
• Liu is a well-known expert in lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide technology.
• He would be tasked with establishing the Québec Lithium Processing Hub (QLPH).

Lithium Universe Limited (ASX: LU7) has appointed three-decade veteran Dr Jingyuan Liu as Non-Executive Director to the company’s board.

Dr Liu, a globally renowned lithium expert, brings extensive experience to the company, with his expertise in project management, process, and equipment design for minerals processing and in the chemicals, iron & steel, non-ferrous metals, and energy industries.

About Dr Liu

Currently, Dr Liu is working with Altech Batteries Limited (ASX:ATC) as its Chief Technology Officer, engaged in developing high-capacity silicon anode lithium-ion batteries as well as sodium chloride solid-state batteries.

Considered as a leading technical expert in the lithium industry, Dr Liu previously worked at Galaxy Resources Limited as General Manager of Development and Technologies. In his role, he oversaw the construction and commissioning of Jiangsu Lithium Carbonate plant. He played a crucial role in the Sal de Vida brine project’s flow sheet design.

Following his role with Galaxy, he has also acted as a special adviser to multiple global lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate projects, including Tianqi’s Kwinana, Western Australia based lithium hydroxide plant.

He held senior chemical engineering roles in leading companies such as Hatch Engineering and Metso Minerals in Malaysia and Australia.

Dr Liu has a doctorate degree in chemical engineering from the University of Newcastle, Australia.

The latest appointment strengthens the technical capabilities and lithium experience of the company’s leadership team. This is what LU7 Chairman Iggy Tan has to say about the key strategic appointment:

Dr Liu to aid in establishing Québec Lithium Processing Hub

Dr Liu will join the team tasked with the establishment of Québec Lithium Processing Hub (QLPH) in James Bay, Québec, Canada. The processing hub is envisioned to encompass a standalone, versatile concentrator known as the QLPH Concentrator. It is expected to have an annual processing capacity of 1 million metric tons.

QLPH is expected to cater to a lithium carbonate refinery, holding the potential to produce 16,000 tons per annum of battery-grade lithium carbonate.

Dr Liu aspires it to become a preferred downstream solution for small to mid-sized lithium mining operations in Canada. For battery grade lithium carbonate, the proposed target markets cover Europe, Canada, and the US.