Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) has begun commissioning of the first 250,000tpa module of its world-class Wodgina lithium project in the Pilbara, with first output expected by the end of next month. The commissioning milestone – part of construction of a 750,000tpa concentrate operation at Wodgina – comes as MinRes complements commissioning work at the Mt Marion lithium upgrade project, in the Goldfields. First production from the upgrade project, to deliver all Mt Marion concentrate at 6% lithium level, is expected later this quarter. The lithium commissioning milestones, reported in MinRes’ December quarterly activities report today, were highlights in a busy three-month period that also included a maiden iron ore shipment from the company’s newly acquired Koolyanobbing operation in Yilgarn.
Q2 FY19 Highlights
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Announcement of binding Asset Sale and Share Subscription Agreement with Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB, Albemarle) in relation to the sale of a 50% interest in the Wodgina Lithium Project, expected to be completed during the 2019 calendar year (CY19)
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Announcement that Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co., Ltd (Ganfeng) and Mineral Resources Limited (ASX:MIN, MRL) have executed a sale agreement with Neometals Limited (ASX:NEO, Neometals) to jointly and equally acquire Neometals’ 13.8% share in the Mount Marion Lithium Project. Upon completion MRL’s equity interest will increase to 50%
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Announcement and completion of the acquisition of the Kumina Iron Ore Project
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First iron ore produced from re-commenced operations at Koolyanobbing, and shipped out of Esperance in December 2019
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Construction of the Wodgina concentrate plant and associated non-process infrastructure, and Mount Marion Allin-6% concentrate upgrade; progressed with commissioning of both projects
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12 month rolling average Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate (TRIFR) reduced from 2.94 to 2.87
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Spodumene concentrate production from the Mt Marion project remained in line with Q1 FY19, shipping 94kt with 71% of output being high-grade 6% Li20 product
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Lithium Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) export volumes from Wodgina ceased in the quarter to retain ore for use in future spodumene concentrate production.
