EMP Metals Corp. (CSE: EMPS) (OTCQB: EMPPF) (FSE: 9ST) and technology partner Saltworks Technologies Inc. welcomed a high-profile delegation to its Project Aurora demonstration plant in Saskatchewan's Viewfield Project Area on October 1, 2026. The event drew institutional investors, industry leaders, Saskatchewan's Minister of Energy and Resources the Honourable Chris Beaudry, MLA for Cannington the Honourable Daryl Harrison, and representatives from provincial and federal funding agencies. The tour offered stakeholders a live view of EMP's fully integrated, continuous-flow lithium refining facility, a milestone investors may be watching closely given Canada's strategic focus on battery-materials supply chains.

Key Points

  • EMP Metals Corp. (CSE: EMPS) hosted a delegation tour of its Project Aurora DLE demonstration plant in Saskatchewan
  • The facility processes 10 m³/day of raw brine from wellhead to lithium chemicals using a continuous-flow direct lithium extraction system
  • Saltworks is advancing full-scale plant design targeting more than 3,000 tonnes per year of lithium products using demonstration-phase data
  • Investors may be watching progress toward initial commercial modules targeting 1,500 to 3,000 tonnes of lithium products annually

Project Aurora Demonstration Plant Showcases Live DLE Process in Saskatchewan's Williston Basin

The Project Aurora facility is designed to validate commercial-scale lithium recovery from subsurface brines within the Williston Basin. During the tour, attendees observed live process runs and performance data as production brine moved directly from the production well through pre-treatment, direct lithium extraction, and concentration steps, with spent brine returned through the disposal system. EMP Metals and Saltworks technical teams engaged directly with visitors throughout. The release states the plant is intended to validate process performance, optimise operating parameters, and generate engineering and economic data to support future commercial-scale development.

Saskatchewan Government Support Highlights Critical Minerals Mandate

Minister Chris Beaudry stated in the release that Project Aurora exemplifies Saskatchewan's growing strength in the critical minerals sector and referenced support from the Saskatchewan Critical Minerals Innovation Incentive. MLA Daryl Harrison noted the project highlights the potential of Saskatchewan's resources. The involvement of both provincial and federal funding agency representatives at the tour underscores the public-sector interest in advancing domestic lithium production. The release suggests government backing could strengthen EMP's path toward commercialisation within the province's established resource infrastructure.

Saltworks Generation-II DLE System Generating Data for Digital Twin Modelling

Megan Low, VP of Lithium Process Solutions at Saltworks, stated in the release that the Generation-II DLE system is continuously processing live Saskatchewan brine and generating operating data to train digital twins intended to enhance full-scale design, reduce technical risk, and optimise performance. As part of the joint initiative, Saltworks is advancing full-scale plant design and cost estimates for a modular commercial refinery capable of producing more than 3,000 tonnes per year of lithium products. EMP's brine chemistry is noted to be free of hydrogen sulfide and oil-derived organics, supporting lower-cost development.

EMP Metals' Saskatchewan Land Position and Commercial Production Targets

EMP Metals currently holds more than 205,000 net acres (83,000 hectares) of Subsurface Dispositions and strategic wellbores in southern Saskatchewan. The company's release states plans to pursue initial commercial modules targeting 1,500 to 3,000 tonnes of lithium products annually, with expansion thereafter. CEO Karl Kottmeier stated the company is committed to advancing lithium extraction efficiently and sustainably while supporting local employment and regional economic benefits. The immediate share price impact was not clear from available public information.