Le lithium, le prix en baisse aprés la flambée.

[energy_isere]

Tianqi Lithium s'attend à environ 1 milliard de dollars de pertes en 2024.

Tianqi Lithium warns of 2024 loss, halts Australia expansion

Bloomberg News | January 23, 2025

Miner Tianqi Lithium Corp. warned investors it would post a net loss for 2024 and halt an expansion project in Australia to cope with languishing metal prices.

The Chinese producer expects a preliminary net loss of between 7.1 billion and 8.2 billion yuan ($1.1 billion) for the period, Tianqi said in a statement late on Thursday. Explaining the drop, it said in a separate statement that poor prices and changes to constructions plans had resulted in an impairment currently estimated at 2.2 billion yuan. That figure could increase as it considers the impact of altered Australian plans.

Lower income from its investment in Chilean lithium producer Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile also contributed to the steeper loss.

Tianqi plans to pause construction of the second production line at a lithium refinery in Western Australia — which it owns with miner IGO Ltd. — “to avoid further unnecessary use of resources and minimize potential financial losses”, it said. The high-profile Kwinana plant was among the projects visited by Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang during a trip last year.

The warnings are testament to the travails of the battery-metals industry, which is struggling to adapt to prices that have plunged almost 90% from a peak in 2022. The crash has forced companies worldwide to rein in spending and cut output — and the market is still seen likely to be in oversupply this year, due to lukewarm demand for electric vehicles.

The construction of the second production line at Kwinana — which had a planned lithium hydroxide capacity of 24,000 tons a year — “is not economically viable”, Tianqi said in a statement, adding that the decision came after considering market conditions, the operational performance of the first production line and the estimated future costs.

The second line, which has already had preliminary investment of 1.4 billion yuan, has been delayed since 2020, when the company was facing a liquidity crisis. Tianqi is still ramping up the first line of the project.
..............................

https://www.mining.com/web/tianqi-lithi ... expansion/

[energy_isere]

Chile’s mining agency expects another global lithium surplus this year

Reuters | January 23, 2025

Production cutbacks by lithium companies in response to low prices for the metal have tightened supply forecasts, but a global surplus is still expected for 2024 and 2025, Chilean copper commission Cochilco said on Thursday.


The global market was expected to post a surplus of 89,000 tons of lithium in 2024 and 141,000 tons in 2025, according to a report from Cochilco, Chile’s government agency for mining studies.

Chile is the world’s second-biggest producer of lithium, a key component for electric vehicle batteries. US-based Albemarle and Chile’s SQM are the only companies extracting lithium in the South American nation.

“The strong lithium supply would place the market balance in 2024 and 2025 in surplus,” the report said, adding that supply and demand are expected to be more balanced as soon as 2027.

“With lithium prices down as much as 78% over the year, there has been a supply response with cutbacks and a slowdown in both greenfield and brownfield projects, which has brought forward forecasts of a market rebalancing towards 2027-28,” the report said.

It noted that lithium prices in the September-November period were so low that they may have reached a floor.

Cochilco said the country was expected to have produced about 285,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) in 2024, a figure set to increase to 305,000 tons in 2025.

The report noted that other nations are expected to become more significant global lithium players.

Zimbabwe was expected to have produced 75,000 tons in 2024, about 6% of the global supply, while Mali’s Goulamina and Congo’s Manono mines were forecast “to substantially increase production in the next few years.”

Argentina was forecast to produce more than 100,000 tons of lithium in 2026 as large projects come online, and attract investment due to incentives under libertarian President Javier Milei.

Cochilco also flagged risks tied to the election of US President Donald Trump, who was sworn in on Monday, and has threatened to impose broad import tariffs.

“The results of the US elections are a major source of uncertainty for commodities … due to concerns that the tariffs proposed by the new (US) president will reduce global growth,” Cochilco said.

“The heavy dependence on lithium consumption in China, a country that is involved in trade disputes with the United States and the European Union, which could worsen, has generated additional negative pressure on its price.”

https://www.mining.com/web/chiles-minin ... this-year/

[energy_isere]

suite de ce post du 2 avril 2023 viewtopic.php?p=2366309#p2366309

P1000 expansion achieves first ore at Pilgangoora

31st January 2025 By: Creamer Media Reporter

The P1000 project involved an upgrade to the Pilgan plant’s concentrator and supporting infrastructure, significantly increasing the Pilgangoora operation’s total production capacity. The expansion is expected to improve economies of scale and lower future operating costs.



“Delivering a substantial increase in production capacity reinforces the exceptional scale and quality of the operation and aligns with our strategy to create optionality and the ability to scale-up in line with market demand,” said Pilbara Minerals MD and CEO Dale Henderson.

“Continuing to drive down our operating costs to keep us at the lower end of the cost curve and increase our ability to thrive through market cycles is also a key part of our strategy.”

The A$560-million capital expenditure investment in the P1000 project was completed ahead of schedule and within budget.

“The successful project delivery is a testament to our team’s expertise in executing on schedule and budget. This milestone further builds on Pilbara Minerals’ successful project delivery track record,” said Henderson.

The P1000 project also delivered a boost to the local economy with 560 workers on site during peak construction and about 50 permanent operational roles created.

“Our great people and contracting partners demonstrated exceptional teamwork to complete this project. More than one-million hours were worked to complete P1000 with no lost-time injuries, which is essential to ensuring all our people go home safe and well at the end of the day.”

Commissioning is now under way with first ore achieved considered a major milestone and ramp-up to full capacity expected to be achieved in the September quarter of 2025.

The Pilbara Minerals board approved the P1000 project in March 2023 with construction getting under way in September that year.

https://www.miningweekly.com/article/p1 ... 2025-01-31

[energy_isere]

Au Nigeria, l'Eldorado du lithium dans le Far West minier

AFP le 06 février 2025

Abdullahi Ibrahim Danjija burine assidûment la roche blanchâtre avant de fourrer dans un sac les blocs qui se détachent des parois de la mine à ciel ouvert.

En une journée de travail, il remplit trois sacs de 50 kg chacun, ce qui lui rapporte 150.000 nairas (100 dollars), soit deux fois le salaire mensuel minimum au Nigeria, pays le plus peuplé d'Afrique où plus de la moitié de la population vit sous le seuil de pauvreté.

Il y a trois ans, le mineur de 31 ans est descendu de Kano, au nord, attiré par les promesses de fortune liées au développement de l'industrie minière du lithium dans l'Etat de Nasarawa, dans le centre du pays.

Là, comme dans d'autres Etats du Nigeria, la perspective de participer à l'explosion de la demande mondiale de lithium, l'un des minerais critiques utilisé dans la fabrication des batteries électriques et des téléphones portables, attise les convoitises.

Selon l'Agence internationale de l'énergie (AIE), la demande mondiale de lithium sera multipliée par quarante d'ici 2040, une croissance impossible à assurer uniquement par les actuels principaux producteurs que sont l'Australie, la Chine et le Chili.

- Mines artisanales -

A Gidan Kwano, non loin de l'endroit où Abdullahi s'échine, un autre groupe de travailleurs refuse l'accès à leur mine à l'équipe de l'AFP. Ils sont plusieurs familles, femmes et enfants mis à contribution, à entailler le sous-sol avec des explosifs.

Bien qu'ils soient fiers des résultats de leur site d'extraction, ils n'ont pas de permis minier officiel et évitent de communiquer sur leur mine dans les médias, craignant que d'autres ne cherchent à s'en emparer.

Au Nigeria, les activités minières sont souvent illégales, au mieux artisanales. Même équipés d'un permis, les mineurs exploitent les sols sans respecter aucune règle de sécurité ou environnementale.

Le long de la route principale de la bourgade de Nasarawa, les maisons vides servant d'entrepôts se succèdent. Là, mineurs et intermédiaires effectuent un premier tri et nettoient la roche afin de préparer des morceaux concentrés en lithium pour leurs clients.

Matthew Danbala, l'un de ces vendeurs, martèle les cailloux un par un, accroupi au sol au milieu d'une dizaine d'enfants qui copient ses gestes.

"Nous sommes très heureux depuis qu'il y a le lithium ici, les femmes, les enfants n'ont qu'à aller dans la brousse, creuser sans rien avoir à dépenser, et ils reviennent ensuite en ville vendre", se félicite-t-il.

Au bout de la chaîne de cette économie informelle, les acheteurs sont "presque exclusivement des Chinois", selon un autre intermédiaire, Muhammed, 43 ans.

Cet ancien promoteur immobilier vend du lithium "depuis cinq ans" et reconnaît que "cela a beaucoup développé la région" et "créé des emplois pour tout le monde".

- Entreprises chinoises -

La Chine, premier raffineur et consommateur de lithium dans le monde, n'est que le second producteur et doit importer le minerai en quantité.

Le gouvernement nigérian veut attirer les investissements étrangers en promouvant son "nouveau pétrole".

Régulièrement, il déclare la guerre aux mineurs illégaux et procède à des vagues d'arrestations, sans parvenir à interrompre le flux des candidats à la richesse.

Le premier pays producteur de pétrole d'Afrique subsaharienne veut imposer aux investisseurs étrangers qu'ils installent en contrepartie des usines de transformation, une clause qui aurait dissuadé d'investir le milliardaire Elon Musk, patron de la marque de voitures électriques Tesla, selon des médias nigérians.

Un protocole d'accord a bien été signé fin 2024 entre Paris et Abuja pour mener des projets miniers, notamment concernant le lithium, mais pour l'heure les investissements étrangers se réduisent à des entreprises chinoises, comme Avatar et Ganfeng qui ont installé des usines locales où elles transforment la roche brute en oxyde de lithium avant de l'envoyer dans les usines chinoises.

"Les Chinois lancent les excavatrices avant même d'avoir des informations sur les sols" au mépris "des considérations environnementales", estime Uba Saidu Malami, Président de la Société géologique du Nigeria.

"Dès qu'il s'agit de minerais, ils se comportent comme des cow-boys", ajoute le géologue qui regrette "le manque de travail exploratoire" et de "données" disponibles sur les réserves nigérianes de lithium et en appelle "à une meilleure régulation du secteur".

- Conflits -

Outre les risques environnementaux, l'exploitation artisanale du lithium au Nigeria est génératrice de conflits, selon l'analyste Charles Asiegbu.

"Des communautés locales peuvent être en désaccord sur la localisation des ressources minières" ou elles peuvent "se sentir lésées par les entreprises étrangères et attaquer leurs salariés", estime-t-il.

Cela peut aussi donner lieu à "la création de groupes armés organisés qui prennent possession des ressources et les exploitent illégalement parce qu'il n'y a pas de présence gouvernementale dans ces zones".

A Gidan Kwano, Abdullahi Ibrahim Danjija continue de creuser, y compris pendant la saison des pluies où les risques d'éboulements sont fréquents et les accidents mortels fréquents.

Juste à côté, des éleveurs peuls font paître leurs vaches et brûlent quelques champs afin de préparer la terre pour la prochaine récolte, sans prêter attention aux détonations régulières qui dynamitent la roche alentour.

https://www.connaissancedesenergies.org ... r-250206-0

[energy_isere]

Les Anglais veulent aussi se mettre à l'extraction de Lithium des eaux géothermiques :

Weardale Lithium gets green light to build UK’s largest lithium extraction facility
The facility will produce battery-grade lithium carbonate using geothermal groundwater.

February 7, 2025


Weardale Lithium is now moving forward with the development of a continuous flow lithium extraction demonstration plant. Credit: Weardale Lithium.

UK-based natural resources development company Weardale Lithium has received planning approval from Durham County Council to construct the UK’s largest lithium extraction facility in Eastgate, County Durham.

The facility will focus on producing battery-grade lithium carbonate using geothermal groundwater, with plans to scale to a minimum annual production of 10,000 tonnes in the coming years.

A former cement works site will undergo “significant” regeneration and redevelopment to accommodate the new facility.

According to the company, the existing infrastructure and connectivity are “well-suited” to restore this brownfield site for sustainable use.

Following the approval of the planning application, Weardale Lithium is now moving forward with the development of a continuous flow lithium extraction demonstration plant.

The facility will feature an integrated, end-to-end direct lithium extraction (DLE) and carbonisation process, enabling the on-site production of battery-grade lithium carbonate.

This demonstration plant is not only the UK’s largest permitted lithium brine extraction facility but also the only one currently approved to produce battery-grade lithium on-site.

According to the company, continuous flow trials are a “key differentiator” as they allow for optimal abstraction performance, reservoir measurement, DLE performance optimisation, and the ability to produce multiple large samples of battery-grade lithium carbonate for customer and offtake specification and validation.

During the commercial phase, the facility is estimated to contribute around £1bn ($1.2bn) of gross value added to the North East region.

Weardale Lithium CEO Stewart Dickson said: “This is a significant milestone for Weardale Lithium and the UK’s electrification ambitions. The project aligns with the UK Government’s Critical Minerals Strategy and Battery Strategy, which recognises lithium as essential to the energy transition and meeting increasing demand for battery-grade lithium carbonate from the growth of electric vehicles and battery energy storage systems.

“This planning approval for the UK’s largest lithium extraction plant is a notable step to establishing a robust, long-term and economically viable supply chain of critical minerals. The North East is well placed to be a centre of growing domestic lithium production capability as the region has all the requisite enablers to deliver our borehole to battery strategy.”

Weardale Lithium has taken the initial steps towards developing its demonstration plant by awarding a contract to multinational company KBR.

KBR will provide technology licensing and proprietary engineering design for the plant.

The engineering design is based on an integrated technology solution that has already produced battery-grade lithium carbonate from Weardale Lithium’s brine at the pilot scale, integrating KBR’s PureLi technology with Geolith SAS’ Li-Capt DLE technology.

The planning approval follows over three years of research and testing to identify the most effective DLE technology for extracting lithium from geothermal groundwaters or brines beneath the North Pennine Orefield.

The extraction process, which emphasises low environmental impact and renewable energy use, will draw brines from an existing deep, high-specification, commercial-grade abstraction well, minimising the need for local road transport and reducing visual and carbon footprint.

Dickson added: “With planning approval granted, we can now move forward and scale-up confidently producing battery-grade lithium carbonate on-site using a proven end-to-end process. This will make a significant contribution to the transition of the UK towards a carbon-zero economy.

“We are grateful for the support from Durham County Council in resolving to grant our application and the parish councils and local communities in Weardale who have overwhelmingly backed our plans to regenerate the Eastgate site and utilise the area’s natural resources in a sustainable and sensitive way that benefits all.”

https://www.mining-technology.com/news/ ... &cf-closed

[energy_isere]

Lithium Energy granted final permit for project in Argentina

Staff Writer | February 5, 2025


The Solaroz project is located in northwestern Argentina. (Image courtesy of Lithium Energy.)

Australia’s Lithium Energy Limited (ASX: LEL) said on Wednesday it had received final environmental impact assessment (EIA) approval for the next phase of exploration and evaluation at its Solaroz lithium brine project in Argentina.

The approvals cover the Central and Northern blocks of the project, which host the majority of Solaroz’s existing lithium resources. These blocks will also be the focus of upcoming activities under the next phase of development.

The EIA milestone aligns with Lithium Energy’s previously announced agreement to sell its entire stake in Solaroz to CNGR Netherlands New Energy Technology (CNNET) for $63 million (about A$100 million) in cash.

Under the terms of the agreement, CNNET has committed to funding local operations and the next stages of development at Solaroz, beginning in 2023. CNNET will also provide up to $15 million (A$24m) in loan funding to support the project.

Both companies are currently working together to establish a suitable work program aligned with the approved environmental assessment.

The Solaroz project is located in northwestern Argentina, within South America’s Lithium Triangle, a region known for hosting some of the world’s largest lithium brine deposits.

In addition to the Solaroz project, Lithium Energy owns the Burke graphite project in Queensland, Australia.

https://www.mining.com/lithium-energy-g ... argentina/

[energy_isere]

Stardust Power Inc. has entered into an agreement with Sumitomo Corporation of Americas, contemplating a long-term commercial offtake agreement for 20 000 tpy of lithium carbonate.

Global Mining Review, Tuesday, 04 February 2025

Stardust Power has entered into a non-binding letter agreement with Sumitomo, a New York corporation, contemplating a long-term commercial offtake agreement, pursuant to which Sumitomo would agree to acquire 20 000 tpy of lithium carbonate from the Stardust Power’s first line of production, with the potential to increase to 25 000 t based on mutual agreement.

The initial contract term would span 10 yr starting from the date of the first qualification of the Stardust Power’s lithium carbonate for sale to any of Sumitomo’s customers, with an option for Sumitomo to renew for an additional five years under mutually agreed terms, provided written notice is given to Stardust Power at least 12 months prior to the end of the initial term.

The parties have agreed to pricing based on spot market prices, published by either Fastmarkets or another mutually agreed upon reputable market price reporting agency, and agreed to collaborate reasonably and as necessary to adjust pricing in the future to accommodate specific customers. The parties agreed to undertake joint marketing efforts to promote the lithium carbonate, with Sumitomo agreeing to minimum marketing activities to be determined in the definitive agreement.

Under the agreement, prior to producing a battery grade product that is qualified by end-use customers, Sumitomo would agree to purchase technical grade lithium products at the annual volumes, or in volumes up to what Stardust Power produces, based on spot market prices published by either Fastmarkets or another mutually agreed upon reputable market price reporting agency.

The transaction is subject to the negotiation and execution of a definitive agreement by the parties. A detailed negotiation timeline will be established to include milestones and deadlines for key deliverables.

https://www.globalminingreview.com/mini ... ntial%20to

[energy_isere]

suite de ce post du 28 sept 2024 viewtopic.php?p=2399446#p2399446

La deuxième mine de lithium du Mali entre en production (Kodal)

Agence Ecofin 11 fev 2025

Le Mali a ouvert en décembre 2024 sa première mine de lithium, Goulamina, avec une capacité de production annuelle supérieure à 500 000 tonnes. Alors que la deuxième mine de lithium devrait produire moins, le Mali est bien placé pour devenir le deuxième producteur africain de lithium en 2025.

Kodal Minerals a annoncé mardi 11 février la production du premier concentré de spodumène à sa mine de lithium Bougouni. Ce succès marque la mise en service de la deuxième mine de lithium du Mali, après l’inauguration en décembre 2024 de la mine de Goulamina.

« La première production de concentré de spodumène à Bougouni marque une étape importante pour Kodal et je voudrais remercier toute notre équipe pour cette réalisation, qui reflète entièrement le dévouement et les efforts de toutes les personnes impliquées », a commenté Bernard Aylward, PDG de la société britannique.

Ce premier concentré de spodumène livré par l’usine de traitement de Bougouni affiche une teneur de 5,52 % en lithium. Une teneur qui pourra encore être améliorée, alors que l’installation doit monter en puissance dans les prochaines semaines afin d’atteindre la phase de production commerciale. Aucune date n’a été fixée pour cet évènement, mais Kodal vise les premières expéditions de produits miniers vers la Chine d’ici la fin mars 2025.



Il faut souligner que la construction de Bougouni est le fruit d’un partenariat entre la société britannique et le chinois Hainan Mining, actionnaire majoritaire de la mine. Les deux parties ont injecté environ 65 millions $ dans les travaux pour développer une mine capable de livrer annuellement 125 000 tonnes de concentré de spodumène au cours de la première phase d’exploitation. La production pourra ensuite atteindre 230 000 tonnes par an.

Notons qu’en combinant Bougouni à la mine de Goulamina et sa capacité de production de plus de 500 000 tonnes de concentré par an, le Mali se positionne comme une place forte pour le lithium en Afrique de l’Ouest. Selon Benchmark Mineral, le Mali devrait devenir en 2025 le deuxième producteur africain de lithium derrière le Zimbabwe, contribuant à 14 % de l’offre totale en provenance du continent. Le pays est bien placé pour profiter de la croissance attendue de la demande mondiale de ce métal essentiel à la transition énergétique.

Le gouvernement et les investisseurs locaux devraient obtenir 35 % d’intérêts dans chacune des deux mines, mais les retombées économiques pourraient être accrues en investissant aussi dans la transformation locale. Cette étape de la chaine de valeur du lithium, consistant notamment à produire de l’hydroxyde de lithium ou du carbonate de lithium, n’est pas encore officiellement intégrée aux plans du gouvernement dans le secteur.

https://www.agenceecofin.com/actualites ... tion-kodal

[energy_isere]

La baisse des prix compromet aussi les ambitions de la Côte d'Ivoire sur le lithium

Agence Ecofin 14 fev 2025

Le marché du lithium a ralenti en 2024, avec une baisse des prix, due à une offre trop abondante et une demande plus faible. La situation risque de compliquer la mise en service de la première mine de lithium du Ghana, mais elle peut aussi affecter les projets précoces en Côte d’Ivoire.

Ricca Resources réévalue « sa capacité à faire avancer le projet Atex de lithium et de tantale en Côte d'Ivoire ». La junior minière l’a indiqué dans une lettre de son président adressée jeudi 13 février aux actionnaires, compliquant un peu plus les ambitions ivoiriennes dans le secteur.

Selon le président Stuart Crow, c’est le « marché mondial du lithium durablement atone » qui incite Ricca à revoir ses plans.

En 2024, les prix du lithium ont chuté d’environ 80 % par rapport à leurs sommets historiques, alors que la croissance des ventes mondiales de véhicules électriques a ralenti et que de nouvelles mines de lithium ont entrainé un excédent sur le marché. Cette situation a déjà des conséquences pour le développement de certains projets, comme celui de la première mine de lithium du Ghana, qui s’en trouvent ralentis.

Pour rappel, c’est en novembre 2022 que Ricca a annoncé la conclusion d’un accord avec le propriétaire actuel du projet Atex, Firering Strategic Minerals, afin d’y injecter jusqu’à 18,6 millions $. La société obtiendrait en échange de son investissement 50 % de parts dans le projet contrôlé actuellement à 90 % par Firering.

Si les deux sociétés ont mené des travaux sur le projet en 2023 et 2024, dont la première campagne de forage à circulation inverse (RC) achevée en mars 2024, Firering concentre depuis quelques mois ses efforts sur Limeco, un projet de production de chaux vive en Zambie. Alors qu’aucune mise à jour n’a été faite depuis près d’un an pour ce projet, un éventuel retrait de Ricca assombrirait davantage les perspectives d’Atex.

Alors que le projet Atex est le plus avancé des licences d’exploration de lithium en Côte d’Ivoire, la situation des autres projets apparait encore moins enviable. En 2024, le gouvernement ivoirien a accordé plusieurs permis de recherche de lithium à des sociétés comme Khaleesi Resources SARL et Millenium Resources CI Sarl.

Les mois et années à venir pourraient néanmoins raviver l’intérêt pour le lithium en Côte d’Ivoire, grâce à la transition énergétique qui continuera de stimuler la demande de batteries au lithium. Pour cette année 2025 par exemple, le cabinet de conseil sur les métaux Adamas Intelligence estime déjà que la demande mondiale augmentera de 26 % pour atteindre 1,46 million de tonnes d’équivalent carbonate de lithium.

https://www.agenceecofin.com/actualites ... le-lithium

[energy_isere]

suite de ce post du 12 juin 2022 viewtopic.php?p=2345123#p2345123

Ganfeng Lithium starts production at Mariana Salt Lake project in Argentina
The plant is designed to produce 20,000tpa of lithium chloride from the Llullaillaco salt flat extraction.

February 13, 2025

China-based miner Ganfeng Lithium has commenced production at its Mariana Salt Lake project in Salta Province in northern Argentina, reported Reuters.

This development marks the beginning of several lithium projects the company has under way in the country.

The Mariana plant was developed with an investment of $790m (5.76bn yuan) and is designed to produce 20,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of lithium chloride from the Llullaillaco salt flat extraction.

The project, which began with a ground-breaking ceremony in May 2022, will support Ganfeng in bolstering its lithium production capacity.

In addition to the Mariana Salt Lake project, Ganfeng has invested $190m in constructing a solar park to meet the plant’s energy demands.

Ganfeng Lithium Group president Wang Xiaoshen stated that the company’s other Argentina lithium projects are progressing well.

The Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes project is set to begin construction this year, while the Incahuasi–Arizaro project is in an advanced exploration phase.

The company is also involved with Lithium Argentina in the operational Cauchari-Olaroz project and the Pastos Grandes project, which is currently in the feasibility stage.

In August last year, Ganfeng completed the acquisition of a 14.9% stake in Proyecto Pastos Grandes (PGCo), the Lithium Argentina unit that owns the Pastos Grandes lithium brine development project, for 357.1m yuan.

Argentina’s Government, under President Javier Milei, has been supportive of mining initiatives, offering incentives that have been well-received by international copper and lithium miners.

Argentina, Chile and Bolivia are part of the “lithium triangle” in Latin America, which is known for having one of the largest reserves of the lightweight metal.

Despite some delays in lithium projects due to low prices and a slowdown in electric vehicle sales, the region continues to see development in lithium mining.

At the inauguration of the Mariana plant, Mining Secretary Luis Lucero highlighted the project’s potential to boost local economies and provide quality employment for hundreds of families.

The Mariana project, which Ganfeng fully owns, has a total lithium resource of approximately 8.12 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent.

https://www.mining-technology.com/news/ ... t/?cf-view

[energy_isere]

Lithium demonstration plant in Western Australia resumes construction
The plant will feature what is claimed to be the world’s first industrial-scale electric spodumene calciner.

February 13, 2025


Procurement will begin immediately, with construction set for completion by Q4 2025. Credit: Calix.

The Mid-Stream Demonstration Plant Project in Western Australia (WA), a joint venture (JV) between Calix and Pilbara Minerals, has received formal approval by the board of directors to resume construction.

In October 2024, the JV partners temporarily halted non-contracted construction for the project until lithium market conditions improved or additional government support was secured.

The new approval followed the award of a A$15m ($9.4m) grant from the WA Government in January 2025.

The project includes the construction and operation of a demonstration-scale plant featuring what is said to be the world’s first industrial-scale electric spodumene calciner at Pilbara Minerals’ Pilgangoora lithium site in WA.

It is expected to decarbonise one of the most carbon-intensive processes in the battery materials supply chain.

Procurement activities will begin immediately and all construction works are due to be completed in the last quarter of 2025 (Q4 2025).

Pilbara Minerals managing director and CEO Dale Henderson said: “Thanks to the WA Government we are able to complete construction of the Mid-Stream Demonstration Project, which has the potential to be a game-changer for the hard rock lithium processing industry.

“This technology could create additional local jobs in Western Australia while producing a higher-value, lithium-enriched product at the mine site. This more concentrated product reduces transport volumes to our customers and ensures more value is captured onshore for Australia.”

The project is an essential part of Pilbara Minerals’ strategy to be integrated more effectively in the battery materials supply chain.

The project will generate around 80 jobs during construction and 35 during operation, with potential for more if expanded to full scale.

The project is also backed by A$20m in funding from the Australian Government under the Modern Manufacturing Initiative.

Henderson added: “Australia has an opportunity to do more than dig and ship our minerals and through this joint venture we are looking to prove up a new way to make this possible, not only for PLS (Pilbara Minerals) but for the whole industry.”

https://www.mining-technology.com/news/ ... a/?cf-view

[energy_isere]

suite de ce post du 06 nov 2022 : viewtopic.php?p=2357248#p2357248

Critical Elements secures up to $115m for Quebec’s Rose lithium project

Staff Writer | February 10, 2025


Critical Elements’ Rose lithium project in Quebec. Credit: Critical Elements Corp.

Critical Elements Lithium (TSXV: CRE) said on Monday that a leading Canadian financial institution has expressed interest in providing up to $115 million in financing for the development of its Rose lithium-tantalum project in Québec.


Following the announcement, shares of Critical Elements Lithium surged 17.7% to C$0.58 by noon ET on the TSX Venture Exchange, bringing the company’s market capitalization to C$126.3 million ($88 million).

The Rose project is located in northern Québec’s administrative region, on the Eeyou Istchee James Bay territory. The entire property spans more than 246 sq. km and is geologically located at the northeast end of the Archean Lake Superior Province of the Canadian Shield. About 45 km to the southeast is the Whabouchi project being developed by Nemaska Lithium (TSX: NMX).

The project was issued its environmental certificate by the Quebec Minister of the Environment in late 2022, allowing Critical Elements to advance financing discussions to start construction.

In August 2023, the company released a feasibility study for Rose, outlining a potential spodumene concentrate producer of 17 years. The study estimated an after-tax internal rate of return (IRR) of 65.7% and an after-tax net present value (NPV) of $2.2 billion at an 8% discount rate.

The project will produce technical-grade spodumene concentrate for the glass and ceramics industry and chemical-grade spodumene concentrate for battery conversion in e-mobility applications, along with tantalite concentrate.

The mine is expected to extract 26.3 million tonnes of ore over its lifespan, with an average grade of 0.87% Li₂O and 138 ppm Ta₂O₅ after dilution. According to the company website, the processing plant will handle 1.61 million tonnes of ore per year, yielding an annual average of 203,765 tonnes of spodumene concentrates and 580 tonnes of tantalite concentrate.

Throughout the mine’s operational life, the open pit is expected to extract 182.4 million tonnes of waste rock and 10.9 million tonnes of overburden, resulting in an average strip ratio of 7.3 tonnes of waste per tonne of ore.

https://www.mining.com/critical-element ... m-project/

[energy_isere]

suite de ce post du 28 dec 2024 viewtopic.php?p=2404461#p2404461

Rio Tinto va bien pouvoir acheter Arcadium Lithium buy pour 6.7 milliards de dollars

Rio Tinto clears final hurdles for $6.7B Arcadium Lithium buy

Cecilia Jamasmie | February 14, 2025

Rio Tinto (ASX, LON, NYSE: RIO) has secured all regulatory approvals to proceed with its $6.7 billion acquisition of Arcadium Lithium (ASX: LTM)(NYSE: ALTM), with the transaction set to close in early March.

The US-based lithium producer confirmed on Friday that Australia, Canada, China, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and the United States have approved the deal under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.

Investment screening approvals have also been granted in Australia, Canada, Italy, the UK, and the US, including clearance from Washington’s Committee on Foreign Investment, an inter-agency committee that reviews the national security implications of foreign investments in the national economy.

The acquisition of Arcadium, announced in October, is Rio’s largest deal in more than a decade. It positions the company among the world’s largest lithium miners, trailing only US-based Albemarle (NYSE: ALB) and Chile’s SQM (NYSE: SQM).

Rio Tinto, already the world’s second largest miner, is adding lithium mines in Argentina and Australia, as well as processing facilities in the US, China, Japan and the UK. Its customer base would include major names, such as Tesla, BMW and General Motors.
...............................

The company plans to develop a battery-grade lithium carbonate plant at Rincon with an annual capacity of 3,000 tonnes and has earmarked $2.5 billion to invest in Rincon — the company’s first commercial-scale lithium operation. First production is expected in 2028, followed by a 3-year ramp up to full capacity.
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https://www.mining.com/rio-tinto-clears ... thium-buy/

[energy_isere]

Lithium : Imerys vise « avant l'été » un feu vert pour une usine pilote dans l'Allier

AFP le 20 février 2025

Imerys aimerait pouvoir donner un feu vert, "probablement avant l'été", à l'investissement nécessaire à la construction d'une première usine pilote de traitement du minerai de lithium issu de son site d'Echassières dans l'Allier.

« Moins de pression sur le temps »

En 2025, "on veut réaffirmer un certain nombre de paramètres économiques avant de donner le go officiel pour la prochaine étape, probablement avant l'été, de lancement de l'investissement pilote, sachant qu'on a lancé les demandes de permis de construire", a indiqué le directeur financier Sebastien Rouge lors de la présentation des comptes 2024 d'Imerys.

La baisse des cours du lithium "fait qu'on a moins de pression sur le temps" actuellement, a-t-il relevé.

"On a toujours dit qu'on ne ferait pas le projet seuls. On va continuer à travailler - en parallèle de la mise en place de l'usine pilote - à chercher des partenaires pour nous accompagner, qui peuvent être aussi bien industriels que financiers", a-t-il ajouté, se déclarant "extrêmement confiant" sur une remontée des prix du lithium d'ici "la fin de la décennie".

Pour ce projet de l'Allier, baptisé Emili, le groupe "pense avoir un des projets les plus crédibles en Europe", a ajouté M. Rouge. "On pense qu'à terme il y aura un écosystème des batteries en Europe qui aura besoin d'une partie de son lithium indépendamment de tout risque géostratégique au meilleur niveau environnemental, c'est dans cette optique-là qu'on développe le projet" a-t-il affirmé.

https://www.connaissancedesenergies.org ... ier-250220

[energy_isere]

Reprise possible des forage d'exploration pour le Lithium au Portugal :

Savannah Resources restarts work in lithium mine project in Boticas

21 February 2025

In a statement, the company said it was "pleased to announce that it can resume field work and the current drilling campaign with immediate effect".

Savannah Resources, the company that holds the lithium concession at the Barroso mine in Boticas, can resume the work it had interrupted following an injunction filed by some landowners in the region. The resumption is permitted by the government, which issued a reasoned resolution arguing that the project is in the public interest.

“Savannah Resources is pleased to announce that it can resume field work and the current drilling campaign with immediate effect”, the company said in a statement sent to the press. “This follows the issuing of a reasoned resolution by the Portuguese State”, it adds.

The lithium exploration company claims that the text of the resolution reads as follows: “We believe that any postponement of the execution of the administrative act that is before the court [the government order that is being challenged by the owners] is more costly and seriously damaging to the public interest, and that its effectiveness should be maintained.”

At the beginning of February, a group of landowners filed an injunction against the Ministry of the Environment, calling for the suspension of the administrative easement, issued by order of this ministry, which allowed Savannah Resources to carry out mining prospecting on private land in the villages of Boticas. Although the injunction was brought by three landowners, since it suspended the effect of the order that concerned all the land, it has so far led to the total suspension of the work.

According to the lawyers consulted by ECO/Capital Verde, the court’s decision on the injunction should take at least four months. Until then, however, with this Government initiative, work can continue.

https://www.econews.pt/2025/02/21/savan ... n-boticas/