PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Lithium miner Galaxy Resources has reported a 41% increase in production during the three months to June, compared with the previous quarter at its Mt Cattlin operation, in Western Australia.
During the quarter under review, the Mt Cattlin operation transitioned into commercial production with the ramp-up and commissioning of the plant completed by the end of April.
Mt Cattlin produced 32 998 t of lithium concentrate during the quarter, with sales for the quarter recorded at 30 135 t.
Galaxy on Monday noted that the performance of the redesigned Mt Cattlin plant had reached steady-state operations, with an average recovery of 61% achieved in June, which is well above the targeted 50% to 55% rate. This was owing to higher head grade and improved specific gravity control, as well as improved stability in the dense media separation circuit, the company added.
Meanwhile, the average cash costs at Mt Cattlin reached $393/t during the quarter, with Galaxy expecting a reduction in unit cash costs as the operation achieves further efficiencies and full production rates are maintained.