Permian Basin Lithium Extraction Surges Past 11,000 BPD in Breakthrough Run

1. Volt Lithium Corp. has a consulting relationship with Street Smart an affiliate of Streetwise Reports. Street Smart Clients pay a monthly consulting fee between US$8,000 and US$20,000.
2. As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of Volt Lithium Corp.
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* Disclosure for the quote from the Clive Maund article published on December 20, 2024

1. For the quoted article (published on December 20, 2024), the Company has paid Street Smart, an affiliate of Streetwise Reports, US$1,500.
2. Author Certification and Compensation: [Clive Maund of clivemaund.com] is being compensated as an independent contractor by Street Smart, an affiliate of Streetwise Reports, for writing the article quoted. Maund received his UK Technical Analysts’ Diploma in 1989.  The recommendations and opinions expressed in the article accurately reflect the personal, independent, and objective views of the author regarding any and all of the designated securities discussed. No part of the compensation received by the author was, is, or will be directly or indirectly related to the specific recommendations or views expressed

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Volt Lithium Corp. (VLT:TSV; VLTLF:US; I2D:FSE) has reached a significant milestone in its Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) operations, scaling up production from 600 barrels per day (bpd) in initial field trials to over 11,000 bpd in a continuous 24-hour run. This rapid expansion, accomplished within six months of launching U.S. field operations in the Permian Basin, represents one of the largest known DLE systems in North America.

The company introduced its Generation 5 Field Unit in January 2025, with the unit surpassing its 10,000 bpd target shortly after deployment. According to Volt, this success highlights the modular and replicable nature of the system, which is designed to accommodate increasing volumes without major infrastructure overhauls. The company attributes its rapid progress to strong support from its strategic partners, which provided expertise in engineering, construction, and automation.

Volt's proprietary DLE technology extracts lithium from oilfield brine with an industry-leading 99% extraction rate, enabling the production of lithium chloride, lithium carbonate, and lithium hydroxide monohydrate. The company reports that its all-in extraction and operating costs remain below US$2,900 per tonne of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), reinforcing its ability to maintain strong margins despite lithium price fluctuations.

Looking ahead, Volt intends to optimize Generation 5's throughput while preparing for the deployment of additional field units. With approximately 20 million barrels of lithium-infused water produced daily in the Permian Basin, the company sees significant expansion opportunities and aims to strengthen its position in large-scale lithium production from oilfield brine.

Lithium Market Poised for Shift as Supply Tightens and Demand Grows

According to a January 14 report from USA News Group, industry analysts anticipated that 2025 would be a turning point for the global lithium market after a period of oversupply. The report stated that supply dynamics were expected to shift, reducing the projected surplus from 150,000 tonnes in 2024 to 80,000 tonnes in 2025. Benchmark analysts emphasized the need for US$116 billion in investments by 2030 to meet anticipated electric vehicle production targets. Precedence Research projected that the global lithium market could reach US$28.45 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 12.50%.

Fastmarkets reported on February 5 that the lithium market was expected to tighten due to production cuts and increased demand from electric vehicle manufacturers. The report noted that global lithium production had risen from 737,000 tonnes in 2022 to nearly 1.2 million tonnes in 2024, leading to a temporary oversupply. However, analysts projected that market conditions in 2025 would result in a reduced surplus of 10,000 tonnes, with a potential supply deficit of 1,500 tonnes emerging in 2026. Paul Lusty, Fastmarkets' head of battery raw material analytics, stated, "Lithium market conditions — particularly during the latter part of 2024 — led to growing producer restraint, both in China and elsewhere."

A report from CarbonCredits.com on February 1 discussed the evolving public perception of lithium mining. The report noted that technological advancements had improved extraction efficiency and environmental sustainability. Geochemist Michael McKibben of the University of California commented, "It's important not to call it mining because compared with conventional lithium mining, this process has minimal environmental impacts." The article also cited McKinsey & Co., which identified direct lithium extraction as a promising alternative to traditional mining methods, with potential benefits including increased lithium recovery rates and reduced water usage.

Volt Lithium Expands Growth Strategy with Scalable Technology and Strategic Partnerships

Volt Lithium's February 2025 investor presentation outlines several key developments that may serve as catalysts for the company's future growth. The company plans to continue refining the operational efficiency of its Generation 5 Field Unit to maximize lithium extraction output. Further deployment of modular units is expected, allowing Volt to scale production without the need for substantial infrastructure investments.

In addition to its Texas operations, Volt has secured a grant to conduct a field study in North Dakota's Bakken formation. The study will assess the technical and economic feasibility of lithium extraction from oilfield brine in the region, with initial funding of up to US$500,000 and an additional US$2 million allocated for equipment and testing.

The company's focus on strategic collaborations with major energy producers in the Permian Basin and beyond may provide additional growth opportunities. Volt's approach of leveraging existing oil and gas infrastructure is expected to reduce capital expenditures and operational risks while accelerating commercialization efforts.

As lithium demand continues to rise, driven by the expansion of electric vehicle production and renewable energy storage, Volt Lithium's advancements in scalable DLE technology position it as a potential leader in North America's lithium supply chain. The company remains focused on expanding its footprint while maintaining cost-efficiency in an evolving market environment.

Analysts Highlight Volt Lithium's Scalability and Strategic Positioning

*According to a December 20 report from Technical Analyst Clive Maund, Volt Lithium had established itself as a company with proprietary technology capable of transforming oilfield brine into a profitable lithium source. He noted that the company had successfully advanced its Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) process to the production stage at a time when governments were prioritizing domestic lithium production. Maund described Volt's modular extraction system as a significant advantage, allowing for cost-effective scalability in multiple basins across North America. He concluded that Volt Lithium was "worth being overweight on," citing its strong operational progress and strategic positioning.

On January 23, Michael Ballanger of GGM Advisory Inc. upgraded Volt Lithium's rating to a Buy. He stated that the company's advancements in lithium extraction from oilfield brine placed it in a unique position within the sector. Ballanger pointed to Volt's ability to maintain low operational costs while producing battery-grade lithium as a key differentiator. He further emphasized that the company's recent developments had strengthened its investment appeal, particularly as market conditions for lithium continued to improve.

Ownership and Share Structure

Refinitiv provided a breakdown of the company's ownership and share structure, where management and insiders own approximately 14% of the company.

According to Refinitiv, James Alexander Wylie owns 7.97% of the company, Martin Scase owns 4.53%, Warner Uhl owns 0.81%, Morgan Tiernan owns 0.35%, and Kyle Robert Hookey owns 0.10%.

Refinitiv reports that institutions own less than 1% of the company, as Eagle Claw Investments Pty. Ltd. owns 0.98%.

According to Reuters, the company has 165.97 million shares outstanding and a market cap of CA$54.77 million. It trades in a 52-week range of CA$0.16 and CA$0.49.