PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Junior lithium company Galan Lithium is evaluating a four-phase development approach for its projects in Argentina.
The ASX-listed company on Thursday said that all components of the initial definitive feasibility study (DFS) had been delivered, with the operating and capital costing and documentation being finalised.
The initial DFS will focus on a 4 000 t/y lithium chloride concentrate production and ore will be sourced from the Hombre Muerto West project, as per production permits which are due for approval later this month.
A Phase 2 DFS evaluating a 20 000 t/y operation is expected in August, with permits for the expanded operation also due in the same month. Phase 2 will also source ore from Hombre Muerto West.
Galan told shareholders that the Phase 1 operation was indicating significant economics, with capital costs expected to be 40% less than a lithium carbonate operation, and that cash flows could be delivered up to two years earlier compared with lithium carbonate production.
The company noted that the DFS and further optimisation work had also driven a revised production development plan for both Hombre Muerto West and Candelas, with broader, more expansive studies having been started for Phase 3 and Phase 4 production, from 2028 and 2030 respectively.
The Phase 3 project will increase production to 40 000 t/y, sourcing ore from Hombre Muerto West, while the Phase 4 operation will have a 60 000 t/y production rate with ore to be sourced from Hombre Muerto West and Candelas.