Authier Advances as Centre of Lithium Hub
Brisbane, Aug 21, 2020 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Emerging lithium miner Sayona Mining Limited (
ASX:SYA) (DML:FRA) (DMNXF:OTCMKTS) announced today further progress at its Authier Lithium Project in Quebec, Canada as the Company develops its flagship project to form the centrepiece of an Abitibi lithium hub.
Highlights
- New field work underway at Sayona's Authier Lithium Project, as Company progresses various environmental and geotechnical studies; critical follow-up work contracts awarded, targeting year end completion
- Flagship project to form key part of Abitibi lithium hub, as Sayona advances its Quebec expansion to service growing North American, European and global battery market.
Following the lodgement of the Authier's project environmental impact statement (EIS) in January and subsequent feedback from Quebec's Ministry of the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change (MELCC) (refer ASX release 9 April 2020), Sayona has now outlined a new works program to progress the EIS and earn a social licence to operate from the community.
These activities are aimed at addressing the MELCC's feedback concerning various areas including flora and fauna, impact on air quality, roads and traffic and water management. The feedback was as expected for a project of the scope and value of Authier. Sayona has now awarded all of the critical follow-up works contracts, targeting completion by year-end.
These activities will largely occur during the northern hemisphere summer/autumn and will comprise a range of activities, including geotechnical surveys by leading Canadian consulting engineering firm, BBA; the collection of additional soil samples by consulting engineers Norinfra; wetlands inventories by environmental consultants Del Degan & Masse; and inventories of various plants of interest to the Council of the First Nation Abitibiwinni (Pikogan) and non-timber forest products together with fish, sediments and water quality in Lake Kapitagama by Aki Resources, a First Nations contractor in partnership with Desfor. Such activities will ensure a detailed response is compiled for the MELCC and the benefit of the community in ensuring the project's sustainability.
Sayona continues to advance the project in accordance with planned timelines, albeit with some delays resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Pending regulatory approval, which is now expected in early 2021, construction could start as early as next year and mining operations from 2022.
Sayona Quebec CEO Guy Laliberte said: "These latest studies are essential to ensuring the Authier project meets community expectations and delivers sustainable outcomes, together with its economic benefits including new jobs and investment.
"We look forward to obtaining the results and continuing our close engagement with the community, First Nations, government and all other stakeholders for the benefit of Quebec."
A revised definitive feasibility study for the Authier project showed its potential to become a sustainable and profitable new mine, with an estimated net present value of C$216 million (A$226m), an internal rate of return of nearly 34% and estimated capital payback within 2.7 years, while generating up to 176 new jobs for the benefit of the local community (refer ASX release 11 November 2019).
Meanwhile, Sayona's lithium expansion in Quebec continues to accelerate, highlighted by the recent 25% expansion of the Company's Tansim project (refer ASX release 6 August 2020) and the Company's bid for North American Lithium (NAL) backed by a world-class team.
Sayona's Managing Director, Brett Lynch commented: "Authier is Sayona's flagship project and these new studies will only help further enhance its environmental and economic sustainability. Our plan is for Authier to be at the centre of a lithium hub in Abitibi, encompassing NAL (subject to a successful bid) together with the nearby Tansim project.
"Quebec's economic, strategic and environmental advantages make it the supplier of choice to the North American and European battery market. Based on recent analysis, some 13 new Authier projects will be necessary just to satisfy U.S. demand by 2030, hence it is critical to accelerate Authier and expand potential supply tonnages through our hub model."
About Elevra Lithium Limited
Elevra Lithium Limited (ASX:ELV) (NASDAQ:ELVR) is North America's largest hard-rock lithium producer with a diversified portfolio of high-quality assets across Quebec Canada, the United States, Ghana and Western Australia.
Our flagship operation, the North American Lithium (NAL) mine in Quebec, Canada has successfully ramped up production of spodumene concentrate, supported by ongoing operational enhancements to increase recovery rates, throughput, and mill utilisation. Following a Mineral Resource upgrade, Elevra completed a Scoping Study for a brownfield expansion to increase NAL's annual spodumene concentrate production and reduce unit operating costs.
Complementing NAL, the Moblan Lithium Project in northern Quebec represents one of the largest undeveloped spodumene resources in North America, with a Mineral Resource of 121 Mt @ 1.19% Li2O.
Development activities are progressing with feasibility studies targeting a large-scale, long-life operation capable of supplying both domestic and international markets.
In Western Australia, Elevra holds an extensive portfolio of lithium and gold tenements, where exploration programs are advancing to unlock additional growth opportunities. Meanwhile, in the United States, our Carolina Lithium Project offers a strategic foothold in the downstream lithium chemicals market and our project in Ghana provides a further option for future growth.
Looking ahead, Elevra is focused on strategic downstream partnerships to enable further value-added lithium production, positioning the Company to deliver a secure, sustainable supply of critical minerals to global customers. Together, these assets establish Elevra as a growth-focused supplier supporting the global energy transition.
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