Chinese-owned Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia will gain material for more detailed studies into development pathways for the Pioneer Dome lithium project in WA’s Eastern Goldfields following completion of a positive scoping study.
The study by leading engineer Primero was conducted for current owner Essential Metals, which last month agreed to a $A136M cash takeover by Tianqi.
The acquisition of Pioneer Dome’s 129,000t mineral resource (11.2Mt @ 1.16% Li2O) is a key to plans by Tianqi and JV partner IGO to build a globally significant lithium business.
The study outlines a $A293M pre-production capital cost for a development that will deliver 8.8Mt @ 1.11% Li2O at $1,030/t of 5.7% spodumene concentrate over a 7.3-year mine life, calculating a base case post-tax NPV at 10% discount of $367M, IRR of 40% and 1.7 years payback.