Piedmont Lithium Inc (ASX:PLL, NASDAQ:PLL, XETRA:) says the launch by partner Sayona Mining Ltd (ASX:SYA) of a pre-feasibility study (PFS) for the downstream production of lithium carbonate at the North American Lithium (NAL) operation is a logical next step in long-term plans for Quebec.
The PFS by Sayona Quebec will evaluate the potential completion and restart of the lithium carbonate plant at NAL.
Facilities partially constructed
NAL’s operations feature about 50% of the facilities needed to produce lithium carbonate, which were partially constructed by previous owners of the NAL operation.
Sayona Quebec expects to receive results of the PFS in the first half of 2023 and further evaluation of the production of lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide in Quebec may follow completion of the PFS.
Keith Phillips, president and CEO of PLL, a leading developer of lithium resources critical to the US electric vehicle supply chain, said exploring opportunities to produce lithium chemicals in Quebec was an extension of the efforts already underway at NAL.
Near-term focus
“Evaluating the completion of the lithium carbonate facilities at NAL is a logical next step in our long-term plans for Quebec,” he said.
“In the near term, we continue to focus with our partners at Sayona on restart of spodumene concentrate production at NAL within H1 2023.
“Commercial shipments of spodumene concentrate could begin as early as Q3 2023, providing revenue generation from NAL as well as product sales through Piedmont’s offtake agreement.”
Last month Sayona Quebec announced that plans to restart spodumene concentrate production at NAL were on track with permitting and procurement of equipment well advanced and with most major items required for the NAL restart already on-site.
A major mining contract was awarded to Fournier et Fils for the operation of the NAL open pit for a four-year term.
About Piedmont Lithium
PLL is developing a world-class, multi-asset, integrated lithium business focused on enabling the transition to a net-zero world and the creation of a clean energy economy in North America.
Its goal is to become one of the largest lithium hydroxide producers in North America by processing spodumene concentrate produced from assets where it holds an economic interest.
The company’s projects include the Carolina and Tennessee lithium projects in the US and partnerships in Quebec with Sayona Mining and in Ghana with Atlantic Lithium.