Le lithium, le prix en baisse aprés la flambée.

[energy_isere]

La Serbie relance le projet de mine de lithium controversé de Rio Tinto

Le gouvernement serbe a rétabli le permis accordé à Rio Tinto pour exploiter son gisement de Jadar. Il avait été suspendu en 2022, sous la pression de manifestants opposés au projet. Le redémarrage du projet intéresse l’Europe, qui cherche à diversifier ses approvisionnements en lithium en parallèle des projets de mines sur son sol.

Solène Davesne 17 juillet 2024


Le gouvernement serbe autorise Rio Tinto à poursuivre à nouveau son projet de mine de lithium de Jadar, après deux ans de suspension.

En moins d’un mois, Rio Tinto connaît un revirement de fortune spectaculaire en Serbie. Son projet de mine de lithium géante de Jadar, dans l’est du pays, était au point mort depuis deux ans. En 2022, le gouvernement serbe avait suspendu l'autorisation du projet sous la pression de contestations locales massives, juste avant des élections difficiles pour le parti du président Alexander Vucic. Le 16 juillet, le gouvernement de Belgrade a rétabli le permis dont disposait le groupe minier anglo-australien.

Encore des étapes à franchir
... abonnés

https://www.usinenouvelle.com/article/l ... o.N2216289

[energy_isere]

Lithium : Olaf Scholz se rend en Serbie pour signer un partenariat après la réouverture d'un projet minier
Le chancelier allemand Olaf Scholz se rend, vendredi, en Serbie pour la signature d'un partenariat entre l'Union européenne et Belgrade sur la fourniture de lithium, après le récent feu vert à un projet controversé d'exploitation de ce minerai dans le pays.

latribune.fr 17 Juill 2024

Pas de temps à perdre. Le chancelier allemand, Olaf Scholz, doit rencontrer, vendredi dans la matinée, à Belgrade, le président serbe, Aleksandar Vučić, pour un « sommet sur les matériaux critiques », accompagné du vice-président de la Commission européenne, Maroš Šefčovič, a indiqué son porte-parole ce mercredi.

Un « protocole d'accord y sera signé entre la Serbie et la Commission européenne, pour un partenariat sur les matières premières ainsi que sur la chaîne d'approvisionnement des batteries et des véhicules électriques », a ajouté le porte-parole du chancelier.

Une signature après le feu vert de Belgrade

Ce sommet est organisé « compte tenu (du lancement) d'un projet d'extraction de lithium durable en Serbie », a poursuivi le porte-parole. Il faisait référence au feu vert donné, mardi soir, par Belgrade à la reprise d'un projet d'exploitation controversé d'une mine de lithium de la région de Jadar, dans l'ouest du pays, par le groupe australien Rio Tinto.

L'industrie automobile européenne investit tous azimuts dans la transition vers l'électrique de ses véhicules, alors que les véhicules thermiques seront interdits à la vente dans l'UE à partir de 2035. Pour cela, le secteur a besoin de grandes quantités de lithium, un minerai indispensable à la fabrication de batteries.

L'Allemagne, à la puissante industrie automobile, est particulièrement concernée par l'électrification des véhicules. Le marché de la batterie est pour l'instant dominé par les producteurs chinois, vis-à-vis desquels Bruxelles et Berlin veulent réduire leur dépendance.

Des réserves de lithium gigantesques

Découvertes en 2004, les réserves de lithium de Jadar, parmi les plus importantes d'Europe, pourraient en effet, selon le géant minier Rio Tinto, permettre de produire annuellement 58.000 tonnes de carbonate de lithium, suffisamment pour 1,1 million de véhicules - ou 17% de la production européenne de véhicules électriques. Le président Aleksandar Vucic a, cette semaine, laissé entendre que la Serbie pourrait même commencer à extraire du lithium dès 2028, après de nouvelles garanties données par le groupe anglo-australien.

Pourtant, pour rappel, le projet de mine avait été suspendu en 2022 par le gouvernement après de nombreuses querelles politiques ces dernières années, les opposants craignant l'impact sur l'environnement de cette région agricole. Mais après des années de bataille judiciaire, un arrêt de la Cour constitutionnelle serbe, promulgué en juillet, a finalement jugé que le choix du gouvernement de suspendre le projet n'était « pas conforme à la Constitution ni à la loi », permettant à Belgrade de relancer ce dernier.

https://www.latribune.fr/climat/energie ... 02507.html

[energy_isere]

suite de ce post du 8 janvier 2023 http://www.oleocene.org/phpBB3/viewtopi ... 1#p2360591

CleanTech Lithium produces battery-grade lithium at DLE pilot project

UK Investor Magazine 22/07/2024

CleanTech Lithium has announced the completion of the first stage of production at its Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) pilot plant in Copiapó, Chile, reporting impressive recovery rates and high-grade lithium production.

The DLE pilot plant operated for 384 hours, completing 14 cycles and producing 88 cubic metres of concentrated eluate. This volume is equivalent to approximately one tonne of lithium carbonate. The DLE adsorbent achieved a lithium recovery rate of 95% from the brine, with a total recovery (including adsorption and desorption) of 88%.

Notably, the process demonstrated high impurity rejection rates, resulting in a low-impurity eluate suitable for downstream conversion. The concentrated eluate is being shipped to Conductive Energy in Chicago, USA, for conversion into battery-grade lithium carbonate.

Preliminary test work on a 200-litre sample of the eluate has yielded promising results. Multiple samples of lithium carbonate with 99.75% purity were produced, confirming the process’s efficiency and repeatability in achieving battery-grade lithium.

The news is a major boost CleanTech Lithium’s Laguna Verde project and investors who will be pleased to see the pilot project open the doors to the next stage of development in CleanTech’s Chile operations. The company plans to provide large test samples of lithium carbonate to potential offtake partners for product qualification. A reserve report for Laguna Verde is scheduled for completion in October 2024, pending the finalisation of a re-injection well in September.

“We are very pleased by these results as it shows we can produce battery-grade lithium with low impurities from our Laguna Verde brine project. Working with our partners on the downstream process, Forward Water and Conductive Energy, we can now demonstrate the entire DLE process from brine to final lithium product,” said Steve Kesler, Executive Chairman and Interim CEO, of CleanTech Lithium.

https://ukinvestormagazine.co.uk/cleant ... t-project/

[energy_isere]

Viridian confirme l’implantation de son usine de raffinage de lithium à Lauterbourg, au nord de Strasbourg

L’entreprise Viridian vient de signer une promesse de bail avec les Ports de Strasbourg pour implanter son usine de raffinage de lithium. Elle devrait être la première en Europe.

Coralie Donas 29 juillet 2024


Viridian a signé un pré-bail pour un terrain sur le porte de Strasbourg.

La société strasbourgeoise Viridian Lithium vient de confirmer son projet, annoncé en 2022, de construire une usine de raffinage de lithium au Port de Lauterbourg (Bas-Rhin). L’industriel a signé une promesse de bail avec les Ports de Strasbourg pour un terrain d’environ 14 hectares, avec une réserve foncière de 6 hectares supplémentaires.

.... abonnés

https://www.usinenouvelle.com/article/v ... g.N2216736

[energy_isere]

suite de ce post du 6 juillet 2024 http://www.oleocene.org/phpBB3/viewtopi ... 9#p2394439

Liontown kicks off lithium production in Western Australia

Cecilia Jamasmie | July 31, 2024


First ore crushed at Kathleen Valley. (Image courtesy of Liontown Resources.)

Billionaire Gina Rinehart-backed Liontown Resources (ASX: LTR) has begun producing lithium at its flagship Kathleen Valley project in Western Australia.

The first spodumene concentrate, the most common lithium containing hard rock, follows the commissioning of the processing plant, the company said.

The milestone marks the start of its production ramp-up towards 3 million tonnes per year (Mtpa), currently expected by the end of the first quarter next year.

“Two and a half years ago, we set ourselves the ambitious goal of achieving first production by mid-2024,” chief executive officer Tony Ottaviano said in the statement. “This is a monumental moment for Liontown and marks our transition from a construction project to a producer of high-quality lithium concentrate.”

Liontown said it would now focus on completing the remaining commissioning activities in the non-critical path areas of the plant, as well as concluding construction of critical underground infrastructure.

First sproduction at Kathleen Valley comes on the heels of the company entering a short-term supply deal with Chinese lithium refiner Beijing Sinomine International Trade.

The agreement will see Liontown shipping 100,000 dry metric tonnes of spodumene concentrate to Beijing Sinomine over 10 months, starting from Sept. 30.

The company has inked similar offtake agreements in the past, including the extension of a deal with South Korea’s LG Energy Solution early this month.

Shares in Liontown jumped almost 4% on the news closing at A$0.95 each, which gives the lithium producer a market capitalization of A$2.29 billion ($1.5bn).

https://www.mining.com/liontown-kicks-o ... australia/

[energy_isere]

Un peu de Lithium identifié dans la Creuse :

.....................
Les gisements de Montebras et de Chédeville

Montebras
Le site de Montebras est l'un des gisements les plus prometteurs de la Creuse. Il se distingue par sa complexité géologique et la diversité de ses minéraux lithinifères. Le granite de Montebras contient des concentrations significatives de lithium, principalement sous forme de lépidolite et de zinnwaldite. Les ressources mesurées dans cette zone sont estimées à 3 500 tonnes de Li2O, avec des ressources supposées pouvant atteindre 30 000 tonnes .

Chédeville
Le district de Chédeville, situé dans les Monts d'Ambazac, présente également un potentiel élevé pour l'extraction du lithium. Les pegmatites de ce district sont particulièrement riches en lépidolite, un mica contenant du lithium. Les ressources mesurées à Chédeville sont de l'ordre de 6 000 tonnes de Li2O, avec une production historique estimée à 354 tonnes .

...............

extrait de https://www.aquitaineonline.com/actuali ... caise.html

[energy_isere]

suite de ce post du 17 juillet 2024 http://www.oleocene.org/phpBB3/viewtopi ... 2#p2395142

Rio Tinto’s Jadar lithium project could take two years to approve, minister says

Staff Writer | August 9, 2024

Serbia’s energy minister said on Friday that it could take Rio Tinto two years to obtain the permits needed to start construction on its Jadar lithium project.


Last month, Serbia reinstated Rio Tinto’s licence to develop what would be Europe’s biggest lithium mine in the western Jadar region, two years after the previous government halted the licensing process due to protests by environmental groups.

Sign Up for the Battery Metals Digest

Energy Minister Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic told Reuters that the miner needs to secure approvals to move towards production at the site, which will hinge on its environmental impact study. She noted that the project was one of the largest by certified reserve, amounting to 158 million tonnes — equivalent to 17% of Europe’s total lithium reserves.

“How quickly we will proceed is down to us. We have already lost two years. We could have been the first in this race,” Handanovic said.

If completed, the Jadar project would be able to produce 58,000 tonnes of refined battery-grade lithium carbonate per year — enough to power one million electric vehicles and supply 90% of the continent’s current lithium needs. It would also propel Rio Tinto onto the list of the top 10 global lithium producers.

Recently, the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, stated that lithium mining would not occur until guarantees are received from the world’s best experts.

“There will be no digging, no changes in the field, nor will there be. Until we get all the guarantees ourselves, nothing will happen in the next 12 to 18 months,” Vučić said.

Last month, Serbia, the European Union and Germany signed agreements granting EU members and some of the continent’s most important carmakers exclusive access to Serbian lithium. The agreements, covering sustainable raw materials and battery supply chains, came only a week after Serbia’s top court ruled the 2022 decision to revoke the Jadar project licence was unconstitutional.

Thousands took to the streets across Serbia last week to protest against the project. A new major protest is scheduled for Saturday in the capital, Belgrade.
........................

https://www.mining.com/rio-tintos-jadar ... ster-says/

[energy_isere]

suite de ce post du 30 juin 2024 http://www.oleocene.org/phpBB3/viewtopi ... 6#p2393946

E3 Lithium to construct demonstration facility Alberta

Staff Writer | August 8, 2024


E3 Lithium’s field pilot plant site in Alberta.(Image courtesy of E3 Lithium.)

E3 Lithium has announced plans to construct a fully integrated demonstration facility in Alberta with the goal of producing battery-grade lithium carbonate from brines located within the Leduc reservoir.

E3 Lithium owns the Clearwater project, located in Canada’s oil patch between Red Deer and Calgary, where it is testing a direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology to extract naturally occurring lithium from oilfield brines.

Traditionally, oil drillers have disposed of the brine by pumping it back into the ground. However, the increasing demand for lithium from electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers has transformed this once-waste brine into a valuable resource.

Instead of concentrating lithium by evaporating brine in large pools, DLE pulls the brine directly into a processing plant, where it undergoes a series of chemical processes to separate the lithium before being injected back underground.

This process produces a lithium carbonate in a matter of hours, compared to the 18-month average it currently takes using evaporative ponds, and without the need to transport concentrates to a separate facility.

“The Demo project is an important step towards progressing the Clearwater project, providing samples to potential strategic partners and an overall advancement for lithium assets on a commercial scale in Alberta,” CEO Chris Doornbos said in a news release.

The Clearwater project is expected to generate 20,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide annually over a 20-year life, according to a 2020 preliminary economic assessment.

Shares of E3 Lithium rose 1% by 10:40 a.m. in Toronto Thursday EDT. The lithium developer has a market capitalization of C$75 million ($54 million).

https://www.mining.com/e3-lithium-to-co ... y-alberta/

[energy_isere]

suite de ce post du 27 aout 2023 http://www.oleocene.org/phpBB3/viewtopi ... 3#p2375823

EnergyX makes $150 million bid for Galan Lithium’s Argentina assets
Reuters | August 5, 2024


Hombre Muerto West project in Argentina. Credit: Galan Lithium

Lithium technology startup EnergyX has made a $150 million bid for Galan Lithium’s assets in Argentina, part of a strategy to consolidate acreage needed to produce the electric vehicle battery metal amid low market prices.


The offer, which included a cash component, shares in EnergyX, project financing and a royalty payment, was first sent on July 11 and the two companies are in negotiations, according to EnergyX.

Sign Up for the Battery Metals Digest


Galan said in a stock exchange announcement on Tuesday it had received an unsolicited proposal to acquire its assets and property for $50 million in cash from EnergyX.

The offer included a further $50 million in shares of privately held EnergyX, while a further $50 million would be made available for project finance, it said.

Galan had been seeking to negotiate a confidentiality agreement with EnergyX, but was waiting to hear back from the San Juan-headquartered company, it said.

Galan shares traded down 16% at A$0.12.

The bid comes as prices for lithium have tumbled in the past year, fueling layoffs at industry leader Albemarle and others.

Teague Egan, EnergyX’s CEO, said he was making the move for Galan’s Argentina acreage to consolidate acreage amid low prices.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that lithium demand will continue to grow later this decade,” Egan said.

The head of EnergyX’s South American operations, Juan Carlos Barrera, is a consultant to Galan’s board, according to the companies’ websites.

General Motors and a consortium led by South Korean conglomerate Posco Holdings are investors in EnergyX, which has offices in Austin, Texas.

EnergyX, which in 2022 lost out on a bid to develop Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni lithium deposit, has a pilot project in northern Chile and is developing projects in North America.

https://www.mining.com/web/energyx-make ... na-assets/

[energy_isere]

Le lithium du nord-ouest argentin, entre manne irrésistible et inquiétudes
AFP parue le 13 août 2024

lire https://www.connaissancedesenergies.org ... des-240813

[energy_isere]

La startup française Geolith travaille sur l'extraction directe du Lithium des Saumures

https://geolith.fr/expertise/

Deux pépites françaises qui veulent verdir l’extraction de lithium au Chili

Au Chili, Geolith et Adionics expérimentent de nouvelles technologies, plus écologiques, pour récupérer le lithium dans les saumures.

Valentin Hamon--Beugin 16 août 2024

Cela fait plus de deux ans que l’ingénieur chimiste Sergio Pablo Gabriel travaille sur le pilote d’extraction directe de lithium que Geolith a installé au sein de l’université d’Antofagasta. ...abonnés.

https://www.usinenouvelle.com/editorial ... i.N2217136

Geolith créé un procédé pour produire un lithium propre ... en filtrant les eaux
La startup Geolith a mis au point un procédé et un matériau pour extraire le lithium des saumures, même à très faible concentration. Un processus qui s’inspire, entre autres, des industries textile et minière.

Coralie Donas 16 novembre 2023


Vue partielle du premier pilote de filtres à lithium de la start-up Geolith.

Des filtres à lithium, capables d’extraire le précieux métal de saumures très peu concentrées, de l’ordre de 0,1 à 0,2 %. L’innovation de Geolith, la startup dont les 25 salariés se partagent entre le siège social à Orsay (Essonne) et Schiltigheim (Bas-Rhin) pour la préproduction, intéresse fortement les producteurs de lithium. Car aujourd'hui, ce précieux métal est surtout produit dans des mines à ciel ouvert, avec des procédés particulièrement polluants et réalisés à l'autre bout de la planète, en particulier au Chili. Avec son innovation, Geolith veut rendre exploitable le lithium naturellement présent dans de nombreuses eaux, comme celles géothermales d'Alsace. Et permettre aux producteurs de lithium de verdir leur activité.

La mise au point de son procédé de filtrage a nécessité quatre ans de recherche et développement, menées entre 2016 et 2020 en partenariat avec Mines ParisTech. «Nous avons développé un tamis ionique, qui capture le lithium de manière sélective par échange d’ions», détaille Jean-Philippe Gibaud, le président et fondateur de Geolith. La poudre minérale utilisée pour cette technologie est fabriquée par l’usine chimique Tronox à Thann (Haut-Rhin). La poudre est mélangée à des fibres pour former des filtres. «Nous nous sommes inspirés des équipements de l’industrie textile, précise Fadil Aimetti, directeur des opérations. Nous avons travaillé avec les équipes de Mulhouse, Lyon et Tourcoing de l’Institut français de l’habillement et du textile (IFTH). Nous avons monté une ligne pilote à Tourcoing afin d'affiner le choix des machines textiles les plus performantes pour une étape clé de la fabrication de notre matériau.»

Impacts environnementaux réduits
................... abonnés

https://www.usinenouvelle.com/editorial ... x.N2194503

[energy_isere]

suite de ce post du 12 fev 2023 http://www.oleocene.org/phpBB3/viewtopi ... 0#p2362700

European Energy Metals expands lithium exploration in Finland

Staff Writer | August 15, 2024

European Energy Metals (TSXV: FIN) announced Thursday it has submitted applications for five new exploration licences (ELs) that would significantly boosts its land holding in Finland.


The applications cover approximately 102 sq. km. of geological terrane considered highly prospective for lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites in the Kaustinen region of central Finland. These would augment the company’s existing Nabba and Nabba 2 licences, bringing its total licensed holdings to 157.7 sq. km.

The new licences are largely contiguous with those held by Sibanye-Stillwater at the Keliber project, which hosts several LCT spodumene-pegmatite deposits with published resources of approximately 17 million tonnes grading 1% Li2O (lithium oxide).

Sibanye is currently constructing a complete lithium supply chain complex including a centrally located spodumene concentrator mill near Kaustinen, which it intends to truck ore to from several different deposits.

The South African mining group, which is investing as much as €600 million in partnership with the Finnish Minerals Group on building the mining complex, is eyeing first production in the second half of 2025.

European Energy Metals noted that its concessions are within 1 km of some of the known lithium-rich spodumene-pegmatite deposits at Keliber, and also within 1 km of Sibanye’s proposed spodumene concentrator plant.

At present, the company is conducting a field program on its concessions to identify targets to drill later this year. The program serves as a follow-up on the 2023 exploration program, during which its team identified multiple occurrences of lithium-bearing pegmatite mineralization at the Nabba licence. The highlight was the discovery of the Kyrola prospect, an 850m long by 110m wide spodumene-bearing pegmatite boulder field where rock chip grab samples assayed up to 3.84% Li2O.

“The expansion of our exploration licences allowed for more significant exploration to test and define the subsurface extent of widespread mineralization identified on surface,” CEO Jeremy Poirier said in a news release.

“In conjunction, our 2024 exploration program is designed to advance these projects and areas to a drill definition stage,” he said. “The prospectivity of our tenements is highlighted by the proximity to other significant known deposits in addition to Keliber’s lithium concentrator currently under construction.”

https://www.mining.com/european-energy- ... n-finland/

[energy_isere]

Argentine et Etats-Unis renforcent leur coopération sur la production de mineraux critiques

AFP le 23 août 2024

Buenos Aires et Washington ont signé jeudi un protocole d'accord pour renforcer la production de "minéraux critiques" indispensables à la transition énergétique, notamment le lithium, dont l'Argentine possède les troisièmes réserves mondiales.

L'accord "vise à promouvoir l'investissement dans l'exploration, l'extraction, le traitement et le raffinage, ainsi que le recyclage et la récupération des minéraux critiques, par le biais d'une coopération entre les parties, en particulier une assistance financière et technique", a expliqué le ministère argentin des Affaires étrangères dans un communiqué.

Le document a été signé à Buenos Aires par la ministre argentine des Affaires étrangères, Diana Mondino, et le sous-secrétaire d'Etat américain chargé de la Croissance économique, de l'Energie et de l'Environnement, José Fernandez, qui effectue actuellement une tournée régionale.

"En signant ce mémorandum, les États-Unis et l'Argentine font progresser leur intérêt commun à soutenir la transition énergétique et à déployer des technologies énergétiques propres", a déclaré le gouvernement américain dans un communiqué de presse distinct.

Washington a déjà signé un protocole d'accord sur la production de ces minéraux critiques et stratégiques, dont font aussi partie le nickel et le cobalt, avec d'autres pays de la région, comme le Pérou et le Chili.

Avec la Bolivie et l'Argentine, le Chili fait partie du "triangle du lithium", une zone qui pourrait contenir plus de la moitié des réserves mondiales de ce minerai indispensable au fonctionnements des batteries des véhicules électriques et des smartphones, selon les experts.

En 2023, l'Argentine en était le quatrième producteur mondial, derrière l'Australie, le Chili et la Chine, selon les données de l'US Geological Survey.

https://www.connaissancedesenergies.org ... ues-240823

[energy_isere]

suite de ce post du 14 mai 2023 http://www.oleocene.org/phpBB3/viewtopi ... 1#p2369361

Sibanye-Stillwater gets up to €500m in funding to develop Keliber lithium project
Located in Central Ostrobothnia, in western Finland on the Gulf of Bothnia, the Keliber comprises five mining areas, the Päiväneva concentrator, the lithium hydroxide refinery at the Kokkola Industrial Park, and auxiliary facilities at all sites

Staff Writer 23rd Aug 2024

Precious metals mining company Sibanye-Stillwater has secured a €500m green loan financing facility for its Keliber lithium hydroxide project located in Finland.

Executed through its subsidiary Keliber Technology, the credit facility includes a bank financed €250m export credit agency (ECA) guaranteed tranche, a €150m tranche provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and a €100m syndicated commercial bank tranche.

It is the final capital expenditure funding for the construction and development of the project’s lithium mining, processing and refining facilities in Kaustinen, Kronoby and Kokkola, respectively.

Sibanye-Stillwater said that the green loan will help it to complete the full financing requirement for the Finnish lithium project. It also provides a substantial boost to the company’s financial flexibility and liquidity.

Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Neal Froneman said: “We are delighted with the strong support from a diverse group of financiers, including the European Investment Bank and Finnvera.

“The funding package provides cost-effective, long-term funding for the balance of the Keliber project’s funding needs and significantly improves the group liquidity, effectively ring-fencing the existing group facilities for operational requirements confirms the viability and ESG credentials of the Keliber lithium project, as well as underscoring its strategic importance to the European clean energy transition.”

Located in Central Ostrobothnia, in western Finland on the Gulf of Bothnia, the Keliber comprises five mining areas, the Päiväneva concentrator, the lithium hydroxide refinery at the Kokkola Industrial Park, and auxiliary facilities at all sites.

The five proposed mining sites are namely, Syväjärvi, Rapasaari, Emmes, Outovesi and Länttä.

The total capital expenditure entailed for the Keliber lithium project is approximately €656m. It is partially funded by a previously raised equity financing component of about €250m.

Construction of the Keliber lithium refinery began in March 2023. The production ramp-up at the Keliber lithium project is scheduled for the second half of 2025.

https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/news/s ... &cf-closed

[energy_isere]

suite de ce post du 26 novembre 2023 http://www.oleocene.org/phpBB3/viewtopi ... 4#p2380744

Patriot Battery targets 400,000 t/y at Quebec lithium project

Staff Writer | August 22, 2024

Patriot Battery Metals is targeting initial lithium production capacity of 400,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate at its flagship Shaakichiuwaanaan project, formerly known as Corvette, in Canada’s Quebec province.


Unveiling the results of an awaited preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for the lithium project, Patriot said it had chosen a staged development of the CV5 spodumene pegmatite, via open pit and underground mining methods. According to the Canadian company, this approach would maximize earlier access to the high-grade Nova Zone, minimizing the environmental footprint.

The scenario, it noted, also offers options and flexibility to unlock the potential of Shaakichiuwaanaan to become a lithium raw materials supplier in North America. The asset, the largest known lithium pegmatite mineral resource in the Americas, hosts vast spodumene crystals, which enhances processing efficiency and recovery rates, Patriot said.

The Vancouver-based miner noted the PEA incorporates a staged development strategy, with Stage 1 requiring an estimated initial net capital expenditure (capex) of C$640 million (around $470m).

This first phase lays the groundwork for production, followed by a Stage 2 expansion aimed at doubling output to 800,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate per year. The estimated net capex for the Stage 2 expansion is C$408 million ($300m).

The combined net cost to reach nameplate production for both Stage 1 and Stage 2 is estimated at around C$608 million ($447m), considering cash flows from Stage 1 and proposed tax credits, Patriot said.

Upon completion of the second phase, the Shaakichiuwaanaan project could become one of the world’s largest spodumene producers, providing spodumene concentrate with a 5.5% lithium oxide content, or SC5.5, in a stable jurisdiction.

Overall, the project is expected to have a pre-tax net present value of $3.6 billion, with a pre-tax internal rate of return of 38% at $1,375 per tonne.

The payback period has been pegged at 3.6 years at an assumed average lithium price of 1,375 per tonne or $1,500 per tonne, with a 24 year mine life.

Final investment decision by 2027

Chief executive Ken Brinsden said the results of the PEA demonstrate the potential for the company to become a global lithium leader and key supplier of lithium raw materials, despite the early stage of exploration.

“The flexibility and scalability [of the staged development pathway for Shaakichiuwaanaan] could allow us to adapt nimbly to evolving market conditions, while continuing to grow the resource base,” Brinsden said in a statement.

The executive said Patriot will only commit to development after considering the economic conditions that prevail or are foreseeable at the time that an initial production decision is made.

The company aims to make a final investment decision by 2027, potentially enabling construction to proceed through 2028 and initial production to commence in early 2029.

Patriot is simultaneously considering advancing to the Feasibility Study stage, as it believes that Shaakichiuwaanaan’s anticipated low operating costs and expected IRA-compliant high-quality lithium output would make the company an attractive partner for downstream players.

https://www.mining.com/patriot-battery- ... m-project/