Mining News
Commercial production begins at the North American Lithium project in Quebec
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(Kitco News) - Sayona Mining and Piedmont Lithium today announced the successful restart of commercial spodumene concentrate production at the jointly-owned North American Lithium ("NAL") project in Quebec, with deliveries to Port of Quebec City ongoing.
According to a press release, the $US80 million restart of NAL was completed on time and on budget and is the only major source of new spodumene production expected in North America in the next two years.
NAL is one of three projects of Sayona Quebec, a joint venture between Sayona (75%) and Piedmont (25%). Sayona is targeting four shipments from NAL totaling up to 120,000 metric tons by the end of 2023, which are expected to supply key battery and electric vehicle manufacturers, including LG Chem and Tesla. Annual production is projected at 226,000 metric tons per year.
Production at NAL is expected to be supported by the mineral resources of Sayona Quebec's Abitibi Hub projects. Sayona Quebec is expected to provide an updated definitive feasibility study for both NAL and its Authier Lithium Project.
Additionally, a new, large-scale, extensive drill program is planned for 2023 by NAL and Jourdan Resources related to both NAL and the adjacent Vallée Lithium Project. The intent of the program is to define a mineral resource base capable of supplying more tons and enhanced material quality to the NAL concentrator.
Importantly, according to a press release, a prefeasibility study is currently underway to evaluate downstream production at NAL through the completion of the project's lithium carbonate plant, which was partially constructed by prior owners of the operation.
Sayona Mining (ASX: SYA) (OTCQB: SYAXF) is an emerging lithium producer with projects in Quebec, Canada and Western Australia. In Quebec, Sayona's assets comprise North American Lithium together with the Authier Lithium Project and its emerging Tansim Lithium Project, supported by a strategic partnership with American lithium developer Piedmont Lithium. Sayona also holds a 60% stake in the Moblan Lithium Project in northern Quebec. In Western Australia, the company holds a large tenement portfolio in the Pilbara region prospective for gold and lithium.
Piedmont Lithium (Nasdaq: PLL) (ASX: PLL) is a leading global developer of lithium resources. The company's projects include its Carolina Lithium and Tennessee Lithium projects in the United States and partnerships in Quebec with Sayona Mining and in Ghana with Atlantic Lithium. The company's goal is to become one of the largest lithium hydroxide producers in North America.
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