Century Lithium advances Nevada demonstration plant relocation as sulfur prices surge
Century Lithium Corp. (TSX-V:LCE, OTCQX:CYDVF) said it is progressing with the relocation of its lithium extraction demonstration plant to Tonopah, Nevada, as rising global sulfur prices underscore the competitive advantage of its salt-based processing technology at the Angel Island...
Century Lithium Corp.(TSX-V:LCEOTCQX:CYDVF) View Price & Profile Century Lithium advances Nevada demonstration plant relocation as sulfur prices surge
Published: 09:15 23 Apr 2026 EDT
Century Lithium Corp. (TSX-V:LCE, OTCQX:CYDVF) said it is progressing with the relocation of its lithium extraction demonstration plant to Tonopah, Nevada, as rising global sulfur prices underscore the competitive advantage of its salt-based processing technology at the Angel Island project.
The Canadian company said the facility, which previously operated for five years in Amargosa Valley producing battery-grade lithium carbonate, is being moved alongside its Angel Island project in Esmeralda County.
Equipment relocation, construction of a new process building and permitting activities are underway, with commissioning targeted for the second half of 2026.
CEO Bill Willoughby said the move will allow the company to showcase its integrated chlor-alkali process at a time when sulfur-derived reagent costs are climbing sharply.
“Moving the demonstration plant to Tonopah lets us show the operating benefits of our chlor-alkali process at a moment when sulfur demand and related reagent costs are rising,” Willoughby said.
Century Lithium’s process differs from conventional lithium extraction methods by using salt rather than sulfur-based reagents. The company generates hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide on-site from sodium chloride and electricity, allowing reagents to be continuously recycled and reducing reliance on external supply chains.
The company said the approach eliminates the need for sulfuric acid and avoids sulfate by-products, while using inputs that are domestically available and less exposed to global commodity price swings. Excess sodium hydroxide generated in the process could also be sold as a by-product.
Global sulfur markets have seen sharp price increases, driven by supply disruptions and demand from agriculture and industrial sectors. Spot sulfur prices in China have risen more than threefold since early 2025, while US contract prices have surged severalfold since 2024. Sulfuric acid prices have also climbed significantly over the same period.
Century Lithium said the demonstration plant in Tonopah will support further metallurgical testing, including work on deeper claystone zones that early studies suggest could perform as well as or better than surface material. The company also plans to evaluate improvements in leaching, direct lithium extraction and downstream lithium product output.
The facility is expected to serve as a platform for engagement with government agencies and potential funding partners, as the company explores opportunities tied to US critical minerals initiatives. It is also assessing the potential recovery of additional elements from its processing streams.
A 2026 feasibility study for the Angel Island project, prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory standards, outlined an after-tax net present value of $4.01 billion and estimated average operating costs of $4,389 per tonne of lithium carbonate, supported in part by the project’s reduced exposure to sulfur-based inputs.