Name and Location
Whabouchi lithium mine, concentrator and hydromet plant project, Quebec, Canada.
Client
Nemaska Lithium.
Project Description
An updated feasibility study on the project has outlined a combined openpit and underground mine to be located in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay territory.
The openpit mine’s proven and probable reserves are estimated at 20-million tonnes at 1.53% lithium oxide (Li2O).
The underground mine’s proven and probable reserves are estimated at 7.3-million tonnes at 1.28% Li2O.
During the first 20 years, production will be derived from an openpit developed to a depth of 190 m, with an average strip ratio of 2.2:1.
The openpit will be mined using a standard fleet of off-road mining trucks and hydraulic excavators at a rate of
2 740 t/d of ore.
During the last six years, production will be derived from an underground operation at 3 342 t/d and accessed through a ramp in the openpit. The underground development will reach an average depth of 90 m below the pit bottom. The selected underground mining method is longhole stoping with the crown pillar below the pit recovered at the end of the mine life.
The hydromet plant will be located in Shawinigan.
This site has been selected for its excellent existing infrastructure and availability of existing buildings.
The site is serviced by the CN railway system, and a pool of skilled workers and contractors from Shawinigan and the Mauricie area. Proximity to the Hydro-Quebec network, as the plant will use almost 50 MW once in full operation, and access to the natural gas network have also been deciding factors in the selection of the site.
The state-of-the-art plant will use Nemaska’s patented process to convert the spodumene concentrate into the purest lithium hydroxide on the market.
Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The updated feasibility study notes a 106% improvement in the pretax net present value, at an 8% discounted rate, of $1.9-billion in the base case from $924-million in 2014 feasibility Study B, and a 49% improvement in the pretax internal rate of return from 25.2% in 2014 to 37.7%.
The project has an estimated payback of 2.4 years.
Value
The project’s capital outlay has risen from C$500-million to $549-million.
Duration
Not stated.
Latest Developments
None stated.
Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.
On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.
Contact Details for Project Information
Nemaska Lithium, tel + 1 418 704 6038, fax +1 418 614 0627 or email info@nemaskalithium.com.