Name of the Project
Maricunga lithium brine project.

Location
Northern Chile.

Client
Lithium Power International.

Project Description
Maricunga is regarded as one of the highest-quality preproduction lithium brine development projects globally.

A definitive feasibility study (DFS) has confirmed the project’s strong economics.

The project has mineral resources of 2.07-million tonnes of lithium carbon equivalent.

The study’s mineral reserve estimates of 742 000 t of lithium carbon equivalent supports the 20 000 t/y projected for the project throughout its 20-year mine life.

The study is based on an average of 173 ℓ/s of brine throughout the project’s mine life, with a peak extraction rate of 300 ℓ/s during the first two years of the project to allow for the ponds to fill. Brine will be extracted from a minimum of 12 individual wells, pumping through two central collection ponds to the evaporation ponds.

Concentrated lithium brine from the evaporation ponds will be pumped to the reservoir ponds, which will feed a salt removal plant. The concentrated lithium brine obtained from the plant will be fed to the lithium carbonate plant, where purification, solvent extraction and filtration remove remaining impurities, including calcium, magnesium and boron. Thereafter, the concentrated lithium brine will be fed to a carbonation stage, where the lithium carbonate precipitates through the addition of soda ash.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

All-in Sustaining Costs/All-in Costs
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has a leveraged net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of $1.3-billion and an internal rate of return of 29.8%, with a payback of 3.5 years.

Value
Total capital expenditure is estimated at $563-million.

Duration
Construction of the mine and lithium plant is expected to begin in 2020, with first production of lithium expected in 2023.

Latest Developments
The Chilean government’s Central Environmental Committee has voted to approve the Maricunga lithium project.

Lithium Power International has said that its joint venture company Minera Salar Blanco, has received environmental approval, allowing for the development of the project.

Discussions with several international financial institutions and potential offtakers are under way and will now be accelerated to acquire the necessary funding for the construction.

Construction is expected to start by the end of the third quarter this year.  

Key Contracts and Suppliers
WorleyParson (DFS) and GEAMesso (produc­tion process design and future supply contract for the equipment and production plant).

Contact Details for Project Information
Lithium Power International, tel +61 2 9276 1245 or email info@lithiumpowerinternational.com.