Africa raises lithium development profile

Africa is lifting its status as a source of hard rock lithium with development projects moving ahead in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zimbabwe and Mali.

AVZ Minerals' Manono project in the DRC has the highest profile because of its large mineral resource of 259mn t grading 1.63pc lithium oxide, but emerging producers Prospect Resources and Birimian are showcasing their Arcadia in Zimbabwe and Goulamina in Mali projects at the Africa Down Under mining conference in Perth, Western Australia (WA). Force Commodities is also highlighting its early stage Kanuka and Kitololo joint venture projects in the DRC.

The Manono project has claimed that it contains the world's largest hard rock lithium resource, but has not yet declared an ore reserve. Arcadia has a mineral resource of 43.2mn t and an ore reserve of 26.9mn t grading 1.3pc lithium oxide, while Goulamina has a resource of 103.2mn t grading 1.34pc lithium oxide and an ore reserve of 31.2mn t grading 1.56pc lithium oxide.

The Kanuka and Kitololo projects are 5km and 30km respectively from the Manono project and are continuing drilling programmes towards proving up maiden mineral resources.

Most of the world's producing hard rock spodumene projects are located in WA, dominated by Mineral Resources' Wodgina, Pilbara Minerals' Pilgangoora, Altura Mining's Altura, Galaxy Resources' Mount Cattlin and Mount Marion and Tawana/Alliance Minerals Assets' Bald Hill.

Hard rock lithium projects are also under development in Europe and North America, although none have started production.

The Arcadia project close to Zimbabwe's capital Harare is by far the most advanced lithium project of any size in Africa, with construction under way and an offtake agreement in place with China's Sinomine for 70pc of first stage production. A mining licence has already been granted and a pilot plant at the Arcadia site has underpinned the project's proof of concept.

"We are transitioning from a developer to a producer and are sizing the project for the future," Prospect chief executive Sam Hosack said. "We are taking time to understand how big the big asset should be." Regional exploration is being considered to increase its mine lifespan beyond the current 20 years.

The Goulamina project still needs to complete mining approval processes but has started offtake agreement and funding negotiations towards targeted production by March 2020. A study has indicated that the project can expect a mine lifespan of 16 years with annual output of 362,000 t/yr of lithium concentrate.

Force Commodities has started drilling at its Kanuka joint venture project in the DRC and will soon start drilling at its Kitololo joint venture project. Grades of up to 2.1pc lithium oxide have been detected through trenching at the projects but it could take up to two years for initial mineral resources to be declared, non-executive director Gideon Palesa said. "Other mining companies are also developing lithium and tin projects in the area and we believe it will emerge as a significant lithium mining province."