HC, Seeking Alpha published an article last year with a list of companies engaged in DLE research.  Unfortunately I could not access it since I don't have a paid account with Seeking Alpha and it appears you have to have an SA account to retrieve that article now. 

Below are some links to other articles about different companies looking at DLE.  It has been a hot topic for some years with new companies jumping on the band wagon every now and then, but hyping up about what they will do vs what they can do is another thing entirely.  It looks like it will happen though and several claim lab success.  I haven't kept up with the topic, just got a little tired of all of it, so I suppose one or two may actually be beyond research and into production.  I have no doubt one or more of our Hub members has a better eye on the subject and hopefully will chime in with better and more update info.  Here are a few links to articles about some companies in the area of DLE:

https://www.ibatterymetals.com/insights/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-direct-lithium-extraction-process

https://changediscussion.com/direct-lithium-extraction/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/rrapier/2022/01/27/a-peak-at-the-efforts-of-two-american-lithium-companies/?sh=389ebc273c6e

https://seekingalpha.com/instablog/50425605-cruxinvestor/5552928-standard-lithium-sll-direct-extraction-multi-billion-partner

https://im-mining.com/tag/direct-lithium-extraction/

Again, we have members here with mining experience who are much better able to address this area than I am.  I have no mining experience, but I can't help but wonder if LAC in the future might gravitate toward this technology as it emerges from the lab to the production mine.  DLE researchers talk a big game regarding the economic advantages for lithium mining companies regarding incorporating DLE into lithium brine processing and money talks!

HC, it is probably a good idea for further discussion about DLE to be shifted over to the Off Topic Forum since LAC is not currently using DLE.  I am almost certain that the old Western Lithium company did look into this as it pertains to what is now the present Cauchari-Olaroz operation.  It is a vague memory on my part and if it did happen then it was many years ago, but I think I even posted about it over on Yahoo quite a few years ago.  I have slept since then, once or twice, so it may just be a figment of an overactive imagination.... mine.

Okiedo