EnergyX and Compass Minerals have entered into an agreement to advance development of a planned commercial-scale lithium extraction and refining facility near Utah’s Great Salt Lake as part of broader efforts to expand domestic battery materials production and strengthen U.S. critical minerals infrastructure. The proposed facility, referred to as Project Powder Hound™, is expected to support production capacity of up to 30,000 tons per annum of lithium materials through direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies utilizing lithium-rich brine resources near Ogden, Utah. The Ogden site contains an identified domestic resource estimated at approximately 2.4 million metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent, making it one of the larger lithium brine resources currently identified within the United States.
Under the agreement, EnergyX plans to design, fund, construct, and operate the facility on land owned by Compass Minerals. Compass Minerals would lease land and provide access to existing lithium-related infrastructure while EnergyX funds project development activities. The project is expected to be developed in two phases, with the initial phase targeting up to 10,000 tons per annum utilizing existing brine pond infrastructure currently associated with Compass Minerals’ salt, sulfate of potash, and magnesium chloride operations. A second phase would expand production capacity through additional upstream brine concentration resources.
The companies indicated that lithium extraction activities are planned without incremental water withdrawal from the Great Salt Lake. The facility is also expected to utilize EnergyX’s proprietary GET-Lit™ direct lithium extraction and refining technologies, supported by a portfolio of more than 140 patents.
EnergyX and Compass Minerals are advancing plans for a commercial-scale lithium extraction and refining facility near Utah’s Great Salt Lake focused on domestic battery materials production and direct lithium extraction technologies.
Direct lithium extraction technologies are receiving increasing attention across the battery materials sector as manufacturers and critical minerals developers seek alternatives to traditional evaporation pond extraction methods that may reduce land usage, water consumption, and processing timelines while improving lithium recovery efficiency. The Utah project is expected to become one of the first commercial-scale direct lithium extraction facilities operating within the United States. EnergyX plans to invest approximately $400 million across both phases of development, with the project expected to create nearly 200 regional jobs.
“Our partnership with Compass Minerals demonstrates how strategic collaboration can accelerate the buildout of a secure, self-reliant U.S. critical minerals supply chain,” said Teague Egan, Founder & CEO of EnergyX. “We are thrilled to advance Project Powder Hound™ in Utah alongside an incredible partner in Compass Minerals.”
“We are pleased to enter into an agreement to evaluate the leasing of land and licensing of the mineral-rich brine used in our operations to EnergyX,” said Edward C. Dowling Jr., president and CEO of Compass Minerals. “Leveraging portions of our existing infrastructure will facilitate EnergyX’s development plans, support lake conservation efforts, and enable Compass Minerals to further strengthen our balance sheet as we continue to prioritize our core Salt and Plant Nutrition businesses.”
The Utah project would become EnergyX’s second major U.S. lithium initiative alongside the company’s activities within the Smackover Formation region spanning Texas and Arkansas. Together, the projects are intended to support expansion of domestic battery-grade lithium supply as demand for electrification, energy storage systems, and EV battery manufacturing continues increasing across North America.
About EnergyX
Energy Exploration Technologies Inc. (EnergyX) develops direct lithium extraction and lithium refining technologies intended to support battery materials production and critical minerals supply chain development. The company’s proprietary extraction technologies are designed to improve lithium recovery efficiency while reducing water consumption and environmental impact compared with traditional lithium extraction approaches. For more information, please click here.
About Compass Minerals
Compass Minerals is a global producer of essential minerals supporting industrial, agricultural, transportation, and infrastructure applications. The company’s operations include salt production, plant nutrition products, and mineral resource development activities across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. To learn more, please click here.
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Molly is the Founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of Components Source Network, the industry’s first and only known 100% woman- and disability-owned and led B2B publishing platform serving the global high-tech manufacturing and engineering sectors. Her portfolio includes Industrial Sustainability Monthly and ten additional specialized e-news sites. With more than 25 years of experience spanning strategic technical marketing, public relations, and business development in highly specialized technical markets, she also leads Embassy Global, LLC, a virtual consultancy that has supported the growth of more than 200 high-tech industry brands worldwide since 2008. In addition to her publishing and advisory work, Molly was appointed to serve as Second Vice Chair of the Government Team for the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) Forum, beginning in 2026, supporting policy development and advocacy initiatives advancing women-owned businesses. A long-standing voice for small business, supplier diversity, and women in STEM, she was also a 2025 finalist for the WBEC Metro New York Outstanding Advocate Award. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
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