Wodgina mine limits Li output until year end

Market: Metals
28/10/19

Australian lithium producer Mineral Resources will operate only one of three new 250,000 t/yr lithium concentrate production trains at its Wodgina mine in Western Australia until its investment transaction with US-based Albemarle is completed.

Albermarle has agreed to pay Mineral Resources $820mn for a 60pc stake in the Wodgina mine and processing operations and provide it with a 40pc interest in two 25,000 t/yr lithium hydroxide plants being established at Kemerton, southwest of Perth.

Wodgina's three-stage spodumene concentrate production facility is nearly complete. The first train produced 22,000t of concentrate in July-September this year and sent a 3,300t sample grading 6pc lithium oxide to Albemarle for downstream testing.

The second production train is ready to receive raw material feed and dry commissioning, while commissioning of the third train is scheduled for November.

The Wodgina joint venture will evaluate alternative production profiles for the three-train operation once the transaction has been finalised by the end of this year.

The Mt Marion lithium mine, in which Mineral Resources is in a 50:50 partnership with China's Ganfeng Lithium, produced 115,000t of lithium concentrate in July-September, up by 28pc from April-June this year. Shipped concentrate totalled 95,262, 16pc higher than in April-June.

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Wodgina mine limits Li output until year end

Related news posts

Australia offers support to Rio Tinto’s Tomago Al plant

Australia offers support to Rio Tinto’s Tomago Al plant

EU may crank up coal and steel research funds in 2027

EU may crank up coal and steel research funds in 2027

ArcelorMittal to raise ferro-alloys surcharge on coil

ArcelorMittal to raise ferro-alloys surcharge on coil

China's CATL to raise $1.4bn to fund battery projects

China's CATL to raise $1.4bn to fund battery projects

US Fed cuts target rate by quarter point: Update

US Fed cuts target rate by quarter point: Update

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