Australia’s Pilbara ramps up Pilgangoora Li/Ta project

Perth-based lithium producer Pilbara Minerals is on track with ramping up the first stage of its Pilgangoora project in Western Australia after producing 47,859t of 6pc spodumene concentrate and 56,634 lbs of tantalum concentrate in October-December, its first quarter of production.

Sales to offtake partners amounted to 46,682t of spodumene concentrate and 27,821 lbs of tantalum concentrate during the quarter.

At its full processing rate of 2mn t/yr, Pilgangoora's first stage is expected to produce around 330,000 t/yr of spodumene concentrate for export to Chinese offtake customers.

A final investment decision on the second stage of the project, which will see the ore processing rate rise to 5mn t/yr, is expected after outstanding approvals have been received and the balance of funding has been secured. Engineering works have already started.

The potential for a third stage is being evaluated because of customer interest. This would see the processing rate rise to 6.2mn-7.5mn t/yr capable of producing up to 1.2mn t/yr of lithium concentrate.

Pilbara has offtake agreements with China's General Lithium, Ganfeng Lithium and Great Wall Motors, as well as South Korea's Posco for the first two stages of the project. It has an initial agreement with Posco, which could see it jointly own a downstream conversion capable of producing up to 40,000 t/yr of lithium carbonate equivalent.

"Our customers have continued to show strong support for the project's future by underpinning the funding package for stage two expansion and encouraging us to expand, which will now see us embark on studies for a possible third stage to expand output to up to 7.5mn t/yr," chief executive Ken Brinsden said.

source: Argus Media