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Amodei: lithium agreement is path to jobs and economic growth for Nevada

October 31, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brian Baluta (202) 225-6155

October 31, 2011

RENO – Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) today praised an agreement between Reno-based Western Lithium and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory as a major step toward the commercialization of lithium carbonate from the company’s Kings Valley lithium project in Humboldt County. Western Lithium estimates that the mine will employ 150 full-time workers.

“This partnership is an important step in leveraging our region’s mineral wealth to create jobs and economic growth for Reno, Humboldt County, and Nevada,” said Amodei. “We are uniquely positioned to meet the rising global demand for lithium, which is used in everything from mobile devices to hybrid and electric vehicles.”

Under the agreement, Argonne will analyze and develop Western Lithium’s products for battery applications. The Kings Valley lithium deposit is potentially one of the world’s largest sources of high quality lithium carbonate.

“We believe that the industry will continue to require improved product specifications for current and future lithium-ion battery applications,” said Western Lithium President Jay Chmelauskas. “Our work with Argonne is intended to develop lithium specifications suitable to engage potential customers for lithium carbonate off take agreements and ultimately to advance the Kings Valley project into production.”

Argonne is a leader in advanced battery and energy storage research and development. In the last three years, the research laboratory has executed several licensing deals for a lithium-ion battery technology with General Motors, BASF, Envia, LG Chem and Toda America.

For more information about the agreement, please go to www.westernlithium.com/news-items/4618

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