Sedgman, a subsidiary of the CIMIC Group, has been contracted to undertake the front-end engineering design (FEED) for E3 Lithium’s C$3.4bn ($2.46bn) Clearwater Project in Alberta, Canada.
The agreement forms part of the next phase of project definition, to establish a detailed and cost-transparent engineering basis for subsequent development decisions.
The Clearwater Project aims to use direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology, which will enable the recovery of battery-grade lithium from brine resources.
Sedgman will be responsible for advancing the project through the FEED phase, drawing on its experience in minerals processing and project studies.
The company’s scope of work is expected to include engineering foundations to inform readiness for the future stages of the project.
E3 Lithium’s Clearwater Project is planned as a commercial facility located near Olds, in Mountain View County, Alberta.
The company anticipates beginning construction in 2026, with a target to produce 36,000 tonnes (t) of lithium carbonate annually by 2028.
E3 Lithium has completed commissioning of Phase 2 at its Clearwater Project demonstration facility and is continuing reservoir production testing.
Project plans indicate that Clearwater will aim to create about 200 permanent high-skilled jobs.
E3 Lithium CEO and chairperson Chris Doornbos said: “With Phase 2 operations under way, E3 has begun a series of project-scale de-risking activities for the Clearwater Project.”
The facility is expected to contribute to the electric vehicle battery supply chain and help diversify Alberta’s economy using existing provincial energy infrastructure and expertise. The site is located in an industrial sector within Mountain View County.
In addition to Sedgman’s appointment, E3 Lithium received conditional approval in March 2026 for up to C$36.5m in non-repayable government funding through Canada’s Global Partnerships Initiative.
This funding is designed to cover up to 75% of a forecasted $48m project, which includes completing the third phase of E3 Lithium’s Demonstration Facility and its Clearwater Project Feasibility Study.
The funding will also be used for ongoing production of battery-grade lithium carbonate at increased scale, support for the FEED process, and the hiring of 25 additional full-time positions.
The Government of Canada’s financial support remains contingent upon completion of standard due diligence and signing a contribution agreement.
According to company information, E3 Lithium is conducting this project in collaboration with Axens Group and ABB.
