Dragonfly Energy, a lithium-ion battery technology company, completed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with lithium-boron supplier Ioneer USA Corp., to strengthen the domestic battery supply chain.
Announced Dec. 23, the MOU outlines how the two Nevada-based companies plan to promote and deepen mutual research, environmental and economic interests.
In addition to creating jobs in Nevada, the businesses will the participate in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions state and nation-wide, Dragonfly stated.
“Dragonfly Energy is pleased to collaborate with a company like Ioneer that is developing innovative technology that will allow for a vertically integrated energy supply chain in America, and more specifically, in the great state of Nevada,” Dragonfly CEO Denis Phares stated. “Anyone bringing jobs to the Battle Born state has our full support. Moreover, the technology that Ioneer is developing dovetails nicely with Dragonfly Energy’s green initiatives.”
Ioneer plans to start production in 2023 at its Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project, located 40 miles southwest of Tonopah in southern Nevada. Rhyolite Ridge is expected to produce more than 24,000 tons of lithium materials and 192,000 tons of boric acid per year.
“The U.S. and Nevada have prioritized the need for a domestic lithium-ion battery supply chain and with little current supply, development of Rhyolite Ridge will be crucial to meeting this important goal,” Ioneer President Bernard Rowe stated. “As Ioneer focuses on producing the materials needed for clean technologies, it is vital for companies like Dragonfly Energy to develop those technologies domestically. This collaboration is just one more example of the tremendous opportunity Nevada has to lead the way to a more sustainable future while creating jobs in high tech manufacturing right here in the state.”
