TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – Toronto-based project developer Canada Lithium this week said it had produced the first samples of lithium carbonate from its flagship mine and processing plant near Val d'Or, Québec, but added that, owing to delays to the commissioning of the kiln, initial carbonate shipments to Tewoo Group, in China, had been rescheduled to July.
The company said the kiln, which was recently granted operational approval by the Canadian Standards Association, was now functioning at design temperatures and the commissioning of downstream components of the hydrometallurgical plant was ongoing.
The ramp-up to nameplate design capacity of 20 000 t/y of lithium carbonate was also delayed and now scheduled for the first quarter of 2014, which could impact the company's working capital levels.
Meanwhile, Canada Lithium said the global market for lithium carbonate was firm. Strong demand continued for consumer electronics devices, such as laptops, iPads and cellphones, which were powered by lithium-ion batteries.
In the electric vehicle/hybrid sector, demand also continued to grow exponentially.
Canada Lithium also said repairs to the tailings management facility, where a clear water discharge took place in March, were completed under the supervision of geotechnical consultant Golder Associates and that operational approval was given by Quebec environmental authorities.