Name of the Project
Kathleen Valley lithium/tantalum project.

Location
North-eastern Goldfields of Western Australia.

Project Owner/s
Liontown Resources.

Project Description
Kathleen Valley has an ore reserve of 71-million tonnes grading 1.40% lithium oxide and 130 parts per million of tantalum pentoxide.

The project has a mine life, at two-million tonnes a year, of about 40 years to produce 350 000 t/y of spodumene concentrate and 430 00 t/y tantalum pentoxide.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has an after-tax net present value, at a real 8% discount rate, of A$1.12-billion and an internal rate of return of 37%, with a payback of three years.

Capital Expenditure
A$325-million.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Given the encouraging result of the PFS, Liontown has started a definitive feasibility study (DFS), which is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2021. The company has also undertaken a scoping study, which supports the establishment of a downstream processing facility on site to produce lithium hydroxide or lithium sulphate using 6% lithium oxide spodumene concentrate, or SC6, from Kathleen Valley. Further testwork is planned to provide the additional data required to determine whether Liontown should pursue this option.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Lycopodium Minerals (DFS – process engineering), Snowden Mining Industry Consultants (DFS – mine engineering), Knight Piésold (DFS – tailings and hydrogeological engineering), MBS Environmental (DFS – environmental and permitting) and ALS Metallurgy (DFS– metallurgical testwork).

Contact Details for Project Information
Liontown Resources, tel +61 89322 7431 or email info@ltresources.com.au.