Sayona Mining Limited has reached a new milestone by producing the first commercially viable spodumene (lithium) concentrate at North American Lithium (NAL) operation.
Commissioning activities continue, with roughly 1,200 tonnes of lithium concentrate, including SC6 (6% lithium grade), produced following the successful creation of the first lithium concentrate, which establishes Sayona’s ability to produce a commercial concentrate.
The restart of NAL is proceeding on time and within budget, with the first lithium shipment scheduled for July 2023. Sayona expects overall production to range between 85,000 and 115,000 tonnes in the first half of fiscal 2024.
Engineering is moving forward on the following sub-project, the Crushed Ore Storage Dome, with particular attention paid to engineering deliverables.
According to Managing Director Brett Lynch, the production of NAL’s first saleable concentrate was a significant milestone for reopening the plant, indicating the improvements made to improve productivity.
“Congratulations to the whole team at NAL for delivering yet another milestone on time and within budget. Having witnessed first?hand the operation’s restart I can only express admiration for this achievement, which demonstrates we have the experience and expertise to run a successful operation,” Lynch said.
As the electrification revolution continues, Lynch stated that Québec is at the forefront due to its sustainable hydropower, superior infrastructure, and market proximity.
Sayona has also increased its community and investor engagement, including attendance at the recent Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference in Toronto. With Europe’s largest automaker, Volkswagen, recently announcing plans to develop an EV production facility in Ontario, Canada’s involvement in the EV revolution is accelerating.
According to Sayona, the NAL operation will be North America’s largest source of hard rock lithium production, bolstering Québec’s objectives for developing a local battery sector, from mining to manufacturing.
Sayona has announced plans for more drilling at both NAL and Jourdan Resources‘ nearby Vallée Lithium Project (earn-in claims). Over 50,000 metres of drilling are scheduled, making this one of the largest drilling operations in Quebec this year. These intentions have been bolstered by the recent successful issuance of C$50 million in flow-through shares.
