Altura declares commercial lithium production
Published by John Williams,
Editorial Assistant
Global Mining Review,
Altura Mining Ltd. has formally declared commercial production from its 100% owned Altura lithium mine located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
The operational team has delivered significant and measurable increases in both lithium concentrate output and overall lithium metal recovery from both the coarse (dense medium separation) and fines (flotation) plants in recent weeks.
Stage 1 has a nameplate capacity of 220 000 tpy of SC6.0 spodumene concentrate, which equates to production of 645tpd (inclusive of planned maintenance shutdowns) and an overall lithium metal recovery of 80%. Production in recent weeks has delivered an average of 541tpd which represents 84% of nameplate.
Production in March to date has averaged 612tpd, or 95% of nameplate with a maximum of 705 t produced within a 24-hour period.
Overall plant recoveries have improved significantly with up to 78% achieved which is only slightly below target of 80%. The March 2019 average recovery is 67% of lithium metal or 83% of nameplate, representing a material increase from the previous month’s recovery of 57%.
Following consultation with Altura’s Board of Directors, comparison to previously benchmarked commercial production markers and in collaboration with accounting and commercial standards, it was determined that sufficient output, recovery and consistency of production has been achieved allowing confirmation of commercial production.
Altura Managing Director Mr James Brown said: “This is one of the most significant milestones in the Company’s history.
“In less than two years we have taken this project from the first sod-turning to full production, which is a monumental achievement and testament of the hard work and efforts of the entire Altura team.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of our loyal shareholders who have supported us. This is a very exciting time and we remain firm believers in the battery revolution and proud of the role we are playing in the space.
“Our focus now is to ensure the mining, processing plant and logistics chain are operating as efficiently as possible and our customers are getting the best quality product we can produce.”
Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/13032019/altura-declares-commercial-lithium-production/
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