Perth-based metals developer Mineral Resources has completed the development of the first 250,000 t/yr lithium concentrate train at its Wodgina project in Western Australia and is on track with developing two more units to boost output to 750,000 t/yr.
The first train is focusing on optimising lithium recoveries from Wodgina ore, while commissioning of the second train is underway and construction of the third train is progressing. Ore is expected to be converted into concentrate from the October-December quarter.
Wodgina was the world's largest supplier of direct shipping lithium ore before the company started stockpiling ore for higher margin lithium concentrate production.
Mineral Resources has received approval from China's state administration for market regulation for US-based Albermarle to acquire 50pc of the Wodgina project for $1.15bn, but is still awaiting other approvals, including from Australia's Foreign Investment Review Board.
In other lithium news contained within its production report for the April-June quarter and its July 2018-June 2019 fiscal year, Mineral Resources updated on lithium concentrate output from the Mt Marion mine in which it is a 50:50 joint-venture partner with China's Ganfeng Lithium.
The amount of concentrate grading 6pc lithium oxide increased to 69pc from 66pc, while lithium concentrate output fell to 90,168t in April-June from 107,000t in January-March. The mine produces 6pc and 4pc lithium oxide product but is converting to a fully 6pc operation. Mt Marion's output for 2018-19 totalled 423,000t of which 378,000t was shipped to Ganfeng Lithium.
The upgrade project aimed at making Mt Marion an entirely 6pc lithium oxide operation has been completed but is now subject to an energy and water study expected to be completed in July-September.
Extension drilling at Mt Marion has increased its indicated and inferred mineral resource to 72.9mn t grading 1.3pc lithium oxide.
