PR Newswire · Press release
PROJECT AURORA LITHIUM DEMONSTRATION PLANT EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS AND RUNNING AUTONOMOUSLY
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VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 9, 2026 /CNW/ -- EMP Metals Corp. (CSE: EMPS) (OTCQB: EMPPF) (FSE: 9ST) ("EMP Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to share an update from its valued partner, Saltworks Technologies Inc. ("Saltworks"), that the Project Aurora lithium demonstration plant is exceeding performance metrics and running autonomously. Unlike other batch pilots or indirect lithium transfers, Project Aurora is a direct, wellhead-connected, continuous-flow, fully automated demo plant that combines the Company's leading Canadian lithium brine resource and horizontal lithium well with Saltworks' Generation-II direct lithium extraction (DLE) lithium-refining flow sheet.
"The successful operation of Project Aurora represents an important milestone in EMP Metals' strategy to unlock the value of our Saskatchewan lithium assets," said Karl Kottmeier, CEO of EMP Metals. "The ability to continuously process lithium brine directly from the wellhead under fully automated operating conditions provides a level of technical validation and operational understanding that is difficult to achieve through conventional pilot testing. The results continue to strengthen our confidence in Saskatchewan's potential as a globally competitive lithium-producing jurisdiction."
Project Aurora is providing valuable data to prove durability, lower processing costs, and increase lithium purity and recovery relative to conventional DLE-based lithium refining systems. Leveraging the valuable and extensive automation and data, coupled with direct wellhead connection learnings, Saltworks has filed four additional patent applications since start-up, demonstrating the value of real, fully integrated wellhead continuous-flow operations.
The foundational Generation-II DLE and digitally optimized lithium brine-to-battery-chemical system slashes downstream processing costs by boosting lithium chloride purity to over 90% at the DLE exit through a novel processing method utilizing off-the-shelf components and advanced materials. The same process elements are already built into Saltworks' full-scale industrial desalination plants and manufactured today at scale for the company's industrial desalination projects.
Overseeing Project Aurora's operations is Saltworks' HydraOS intelligent plant operating system, transforming conventional process control into a continuously learning and optimizing "thinking machine." Saltworks' HydraOS and RoboSense ion-specific sampler digitally integrate and optimize the entire system, with the plant achieving 'lights-out' unattended continuous-flow autonomous operation in October.
HydraOS was developed to intelligently integrate and optimize multiple unit operations harmoniously while maximizing recovery, uptime, and operating efficiency. Saltworks' RoboSense technology delivers automated, real-time ion-specific measurements, providing critical process data to inform operational adjustments and optimize lithium recovery. By combining intelligent automation, advanced sensing, and advanced process control, Aurora demonstrates Saltworks' approach to developing increasingly autonomous process plants that adapt to changing conditions, reduce labor constraints, and improve operational performance.
These developments reflect the untapped potential for lithium in North America and why off-site batch pilots with less automation hold back innovation that drives down capital cost intensity and genuine commercial de-risking. Project Aurora represents an important step towards commercial lithium development in Saskatchewan.
The Saskatchewan lithium basin is set to become Canada's most competitive lithium production opportunity. 1Saskatchewan already leads in global potash (primarily potassium chloride) production (31% of global output), leveraging its geological advantage of clean salt in the ground, solution mining capabilities, excellent surface infrastructure, and low-cost power. All the above align with competitive lithium chloride production, which can be converted to battery chemicals.
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About EMP Metals
EMP is a Canadian-based lithium exploration and development company focused on large-scale resources using direct lithium extraction (DLE). EMP currently holds more than 205,000 net acres (83,000 hectares) of Subsurface Dispositions and strategic wellbores in southern Saskatchewan.
For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.empmetals.com or contact:www.empmetals.com
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The technical content on this website has been reviewed and approved by Greg Bronson, P. Geo., a qualified person for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Bronson is not independent as he is a director of the Company.
Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. EMP Metals cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond EMP Metals' control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to EMP Metals' limited operating history, ability to obtain sufficient financing to carry out its exploration and development objectives on its mineral properties, obtaining the necessary permits to carry out its activities and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, EMP Metals undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.
The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
SOURCE EMP Metals Corp.
