Saskatchewan-based lithium brine developer EMP Metals (CSE: EMPS; US-OTC: EMPPF) has completed construction of its demonstration plant at the flagship Viewfield project, marking a significant milestone in the company's advancement toward commercial lithium production in Canada. The Project Aurora Demonstration facility has been directly tied into both production and waste brine disposal wells, enabling full plant commissioning. According to the company, this level of integration has been achieved by few lithium brine projects in Canada.
The Viewfield project is located approximately 140 kilometres southeast of Regina, Saskatchewan. "Fresh production brine is now flowing through the process as we continue integrating each system, and with commissioning approximately halfway complete, we remain on schedule for Q3 start-up," EMP Metals stated in its announcement reported by Asian Metal on August 6, 2026. The Aurora demonstration facility is designed to process 10 cubic metres per day of raw brine from the wellhead.
The plant's primary objectives include validating process performance, optimizing operational parameters, and generating the engineering and economic data required to support future commercial-scale development. The company's ultimate aim is to develop a commercial plant capable of producing more than 3,000 tonnes of lithium per year. According to a resource update published approximately one year ago, EMP's Viewfield and Mansur sites host 931,038 indicated tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) grading 141 mg/L lithium, alongside 1.11 million inferred tonnes of LCE at 112 mg/L lithium.
The Mansur site is situated roughly 40 kilometres northwest of Viewfield. A 2023 preliminary economic assessment for the Viewfield project suggests it could produce 12,175 tonnes of LCE annually at a grade of 128 mg/L over a projected 23-year mine life. The advancement of EMP Metals' demonstration facility positions the company as one of Saskatchewan's leading lithium brine developers at a time when demand for battery-grade lithium continues to be driven by the global energy transition, particularly the expansion of electric vehicle manufacturing and energy storage systems.
Source: Asian Metal (asianmetal.com), August 6, 2026.
Source: asianmetal.com