Name of the Project
Kathleen Valley lithium project.

Location
The project is located in the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia.

Project Owner/s
Liontown Resources.

Project Description
Kathleen Valley has proven and probable reserves of 50.4-million tonnes grading 1.2% lithium oxide, which will underpin a standalone two-million-tonne-a-year mining and processing operation.

Based on the current ore reserves, the project will have a mine life of 26 years, producing on average 295 000 t/y of more than 6% spodumene concentrate.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has a post-tax base case net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of A$507-million and an internal rate of return of 25%, with a post-production payback of four years.

Capital Expenditure
Preproduction capital is estimated at A$240.5-million.

Planned Start/End Date
First production is expected in 2024, when demand for lithium is expected to accelerate significantly, owing to the strong forecast take-up of electric vehicles globally.

Latest Developments
There are opportunities to improve the financials of the project, including generating additional revenue from the recovery of tantalum, which will be determined as part of the definitive feasibility study and the future integration of a potential underground operation to expand yearly production and bring forward higher-grade material from an expanded mineral resource.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Optiro (geology and resources); Orelogy Consulting (optimisation and mining); ALS Metallurgy (process testwork); Lycopodium Minerals (process and infrastructure design, capital and operating expenditures); Knight Piésold (tailings management facilities); Aq2 (hydrology and hydrogeology); and MBS (environmental studies).

On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.

Contact Details for Project Information
Liontown Resources, tel +61 9322 7431 or email info@ltresources.com.au.