Highlights of the Program
2 days business program:
Learn from real-world case studies by industry leaders.
SHOWCASING INNOVATION:
Discover the latest technology and techniques from across the industry.
leaders talk:
Hear from top-level experts about how to stay ahead in a fast-changing industry.
MULTIPLE STREAMS:
A business program that is multi-disciplinary, giving you a broad view of the industry.
SMART TECHNOLOGIES:
Explore the latest smart and AI-driven solutions, and see how they can be used in your business.
roundtable discussion:
Join talks with industry peers. Share ideas, make connections, and find new partners.
Program
Day 1 :
MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2026
08:30 - 09:30
REGISTRATION AND MORNING REFRESHMENTS
09:30 - 09:40
OPENING ADDRESS
09:40 - 10:05
DIRECT LITHIUM EXTRACTION: TAILORED TECHNOLOGIES FOR HIGHER YIELD AND PURITY


Tirtha Chatterjee
DuPont
- Integrated DLE process pathways combining sorbents, ion exchange, and membrane technologies
- Divalent ion removal approaches supporting consistent high-purity lithium product output
- Efficient dewatering steps enabling higher lithium concentration and improved sorbent productivity
- Sequencing and data-backed design insights reducing complexity and accelerating commercialization
10:05 - 10:10
Q&A SESSION ON IMPROVING DLE YIELD PURITY AND COMMERCIAL READINESS
10:10 - 10:40
SPEED NETWORKING SESSION
- Exchange business cards and get connected in short one-to-one meetings
- Start the conversation to arrange a more formal meeting later on in the conference
- Share your professional background and discuss your biggest business issues – don't forget your business cards!
10:40 - 11:00
MORNING COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
11:00 - 11:30
PANEL DISCUSSION ON DIRECT LITHIUM EXTRACTION
11:30 - 11:55
ACCELERATING AND DE-RISKING DLE SCALE-UP THROUGH SCIENCE-BASED DIGITAL TWINS


Amit Goda
Siemens Digital Industries Software
- Science-based process models reducing reliance on costly pilots and experimental campaigns
- First-principles simulation defining operating windows, design margins, and early scale-up risks
- Extending digital twins into operations to support commissioning, optimization, and ongoing decision-making
11:55 - 12:00
Q&A SESSION ON DIGITAL TWINS FOR DLE SCALE-UP AND OPERATIONS
12:00 - 13:30
NETWORKING LUNCH AND VISITING THE DIRECT LITHIUM EXTRACTION EXHIBITION
13:30 - 13:55
STUDY OF ELECTROCHEMICAL LITHIUM EXTRACTION FROM DOMESTIC OILFIELD BRINE


Xinge Zhang
National Research Council of Canada
- Commercial adsorbent selection and characterization for lithium recovery applications
- Electrode formulation, fabrication approaches, and the development of the electrochemical test platform
- Test results and parameter studies covering lithium concentration, temperature, and pH
- Adsorbent performance in real oilfield brines and discussion of conclusions and future outlook
13:55 - 14:00
Q&A SESSION ON ADVANCING ELECTROCHEMICAL APPROACHES FOR LITHIUM RECOVERY
14:00 - 14:25
OPTIMIZING DLE PROCESSES WITH ADVANCED MEMBRANES


Josh Dewanaga
Veolia
- Nanofiltration modelling and pilot testing approaches, reducing chemical use and improving DLE process stability
- Advanced RO brine concentration modelling, maximizing lithium recovery while lowering energy demands
- Insights from recent DLE membrane projects, optimizing performance and ensuring reliable operations
14:25 - 14:30
Q&A SESSION ON IMPROVING BRINE TREATMENT IN DLE
14:30 - 14:55
COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS TO BUILD A SHARED NORTH AMERICAN LITHIUM LOOP


Frederick Steinmann
University of Nevada
- Discussion on Nevada Lithium Batteries and EV Materials Loop Regional Tech Hub and its current collaboration with Canada
- Nevada’s role across the lithium value chain, including extraction, processing, manufacturing, recycling, and energy storage
- Shared national security priorities and the supply-chain resilience benefits of a coordinated North American approach
- Enabling requirements, including workforce development and engagement with Tribal, Indigenous, and First Nations partners
14:55 - 15:00
Q&A SESSION ON CROSS-BORDER INVESTMENT FOR BATTERY MATERIALS
15:00 - 15:30
AFTERNOON COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
15:30 - 15:55
FROM PILOT TO COMMERCIAL: VALIDATING NEXT GENERATION LITHIUM EXTRACTION USING NANOTECHNOLOGY


Ghada Nafie
Litus Inc.
- Demonstrating pilot results achieving up to 99 percent lithium recovery from produced water brines at scale
- Implementing modular scale up strategies integrating process design with operational and economic viability
- Advancing commercial deployment by defining cost drivers revenue potential and pathways to scale profitability
15:55 - 16:00
Q&A SESSION ON SCALING NANOTECH LITHIUM EXTRACTION SOLUTIONS
16:00 - 16:25
LiEX A NEW, HIGH PERFORMANCE DLE PROCESS


Craig Brown
CHEMIONEX INC.
- Examining the LiEX single column fixed bed design as a simplified approach to direct lithium extraction operations
- Demonstrating over 99 percent lithium recovery alongside excellent impurity separation for high purity results
- Analyzing high flow rate performance that concentrates low grade brines into stronger lithium product solutions
16:25 - 16:30
Q&A SESSION ON HIGH PERFORMANCE DIRECT LITHIUM EXTRACTION
16:30 - 17:00
RESERVED PRESENTATION
17:00 - 18:00
NETWORKING DRINKS RECEPTION
Day 2 :
TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2026
09:00 - 09:30
MORNING REFRESHMENTS
09:30 - 09:40
OPENING ADDRESS
09:40 - 10:05
COMMERCIAL LITHIUM EXTRACTION ECONOMICS FOR NORTH AMERICA


Ron Lincz
Avonlea
- Overview of the ACCELi process and its role in recovering lithium and other critical minerals from varied brine sources
- Discussion of the system’s key advantages, including modular scalability, lower capital intensity, and flexible deployment
- Insights from the Pennsylvania pilot program, highlighting performance data, recovery rates, and operational learnings
- Commercial plant configuration and project economics, including cost structure and market potential
10:05 - 10:10
Q&A SESSION ON LITHIUM RECOVERY AND COST DRIVERS
10:10 - 10:35
DEVELOPMENT OF DLE TECHNOLOGY USING MANGANESE BASED ADSORBENTS


Takuya Kaseyama
Sumitomo Metal Mining
- Presenting lithium manganate adsorbents synthesized through a wet method with high lithium adsorption capacity
- Demonstrating a pilot scale process selectively recovering lithium from high impurity and sulfuric acid brines
- Showcasing a multi column approach enabling efficient lithium recovery from brine above 90 percent
- Improving operational efficiency by producing reagents in plant and recycling water within the process
10:35 - 10:40
Q&A SESSION ON HIGH EFFICIENCY LITHIUM RECOVERY METHODS
10:40 - 11:00
MORNING COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
11:00 - 11:30
RESERVED PRESENTATION
11:30 - 11:55
DIRECT LITHIUM EXTRACTION IN SOUTH AMERICA: FROM RESOURCE TO INDUSTRIAL SCALE


José Gustavo de Castro Alem
Lithium Chile Inc.
- Practical lessons from advancing direct lithium extraction pilots in Argentina and Chile
- Comparing direct lithium extraction and evaporation methods across scale, water, energy, and costs
- Looking at strategic impacts on supply security, permitting, community alignment, and demands
11:55 - 12:00
Q&A SESSION ON LITHIUM SUPPLY STRATEGY IN SOUTH AMERICA
12:00 - 12:25
VALVE SPECIFICATION FOR DLE PROJECTS IN LIGHT OF DIMINISHING VALVE EXPERTISE


Ross Waters
CGIS (CG Industrial Specialties)
- Addressing the decline in valve expertise and the risks of relying on legacy specifications
- Evaluating the wide range of valve performance demands across DLE process streams, from simple to highly demanding applications
- Understanding the importance of collaboration between EPCs, owners, and valve experts to reduce failures
12:25 - 12:30
Q&A SESSION ON PRACTICAL VALVE SELECTION FOR DLE SYSTEMS
12:30 - 12:45
FEEDBACK AND RAFFLE DRAW
12:45 - 14:00
NETWORKING LUNCH
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