Altura nameplate lithium production on track

Australia-based lithium developer Altura Mining is on track to increase stage one production from its Altura project in Western Australia to nameplate capacity of 220,000 t/yr by the end of this year.

After starting concentrate production at the end of July, it last month hauled the first 4,000t of concentrate to the port of Port Hedland. Shipping of concentrate will take place at regular intervals to meet offtake partners' requirements, the company said.

Around 130,000t of run of mine stocks at a grade of 1.2pc lithium oxide have been accumulated at the mine.

Concentrate will be shipped on vessels of up to 40,000t with cargoes shared among other commodity producers shipping from the Qube facility at Port Hedland. Altura's main offtake partner is China's Lionergy.

A definitive feasibility study has been completed on doubling the Altura's project's capacity to 440,000 t/yr. A final investment decision on this development is expected by the end of December.