Australian company Calix has announced the completion of its Midstream Demonstration Plant in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The purpose of this plant is to validate an innovative lithium extraction and processing technology. Calix stated that detailed commissioning and operation plans for the facility will be announced in subsequent phases.

This Midstream Demonstration Plant is a joint venture project co-invested with the PLS Group. The plant's construction received a A$15 million grant from the Western Australian government, earmarked for building an electric calcination spodumene demonstration kiln at PLS Group's Pilgangoora mine site.

According to industry information, Calix recently signed a joint development agreement with the mining company Rio Tinto. Under the agreement, Rio Tinto will provide technical demonstration for Calix's Zesty technology at its demonstration plant in Kwinana, offering a total of over A$35 million in funding and in-kind support. Rio Tinto's involvement adds significant resources to this technology validation project. Calix is a technology company dedicated to developing solutions for industrial processes, with applications spanning critical minerals processing, cement, and steel production. The commissioning of this Midstream Demonstration Plant represents a step in validating the feasibility of its lithium processing technology.