Photo by: Sayona
Name of the Project
Moblan lithium project.
Location
Eeyou Istchee James Bay territory in north-western Québec, Canada.
Project Owner/s
Sayona (60%) and Investissement Québec (40%).
Project Description
A definitive feasibility study (DFS) has demonstrated a financially and technically viable operation, based on an estimated Joint Ore Reserves Committee-compliant probable ore reserve of 34.5-million tonnes at 1.36% lithium oxide.
The mill is designed to process 1.8-million tonnes a year to produce 300 000 t/y of spodumene concentrate over a 21.1-year life-of-mine.
Openpit mining methods comprising a conventional fleet of excavators and trucks will be used. The final design comprises two pits, with the Moleon pit encompassing the Moleon domain, and the Main pit encompassing the Main, Inter and South domains.
The process plant will have a feed rate f 4 800 t/d, with an average life-of-mine recovery of 74.7% spodumene concentrate grading at 6% lithium oxide.
Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The DFS estimates a pretax net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of C$3.9-billion and an internal rate of return of 47.4%, with an after-tax payback of 2.3 years.
Potential Job Creation
Not stated.
Capital Expenditure
$962-million.
Planned Start/End Date
Construction is expected to take two years to complete.
Latest Developments
None stated.
Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
InnovExplo Inc, in collaboration with AtkinsRéalis (formerly SNC-Lavalin), Primero Group Americas, SLR Consulting, G Mining Services Inc and Richelieu Hydrogéologie Inc (DFS).
Contact Details for Project Information
Sayona Mining, tel +61 7 3369 7058 or email info@sayonamining.com.