PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Lithium developer Pilbara Minerals has received its final major environmental approval required to complete construction of its Pilangoora project, in Western Australia.
The company on Monday reported that the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation had issued the works approval for the project, following other key environmental and regulatory approvals that were issued earlier this year.
“With site construction activities at Pilgangoora now in full swing, the project fully permitted for the completion of construction, a portfolio of tier-one offtake and strategic partners in place both for Stage 1 and Stage 2, and the stage set for the commencement of mining operations, this is an exciting time for Pilbara Minerals as we close in on our objective of becoming one of the world’s next significant lithium producers,” said Pilbara MD and CEO Ken Brinsden.
The project is currently expected to produce an average of 314 000 t/y of 6% spodumene concentrate and 321 000 lb/y of tantalite, over a mine life of 36 years.