PERTH (miningweekly.com) – A scoping study into the expansion of the Altura lithium project, in Western Australia, has confirmed that duplicating the size of the current production plant to double output, will be the best expansion option for the project.
The Stage 1 operation will have a nameplate output of 220 000 t/y of 6% grade lithium oxide, and is on track for commissioning in the first quarter of 2018, with first sales due in the second quarter of next year.
ASX-listed Altura Mining on Monday said that the scoping study to double production to 440 000 t/y, found that first production from the duplicated plant could be achieved within 17 months of an investment decision. However, by using the design and majority of parameters from the existing project, this timeframe could be brought forward with early ordering of long-lead items.
“Now is the right time to be considering such an expansion. We continue to see strength in the lithium market and positive demand signals from offtakers. Using existing designs and other parameters, this effective duplication should be both relatively straightforward and result in no disruption from our Stage 1 production,” said Altura MD James Brown.
A definitive feasibility study on the expanded operation will start immediately, and is due for completion in April.