ASX-listed lithium exploration and development company — Galan Lithium Limited — has provided an updated on the progress of its Hombre Muerto West (HMW) Phase 1 lithium brine project in Argentina.
The company is now on track to commence lithium chloride production in the first half of 2025.
Galan Lithium Limited Managing Director Juan Pablo (JP) Vargas de la Vega stated: “We are taking advantage of the summer season whereby a buffer wall has been installed at the one third mark of Pond 1.
“The initial partial evaporation process will commence in approximately 14 days with the full fill of Pond 1 remaining on track for Q1 2024.”
Key Project Highlights:
- Commencement of Pond 1 Filling: The initial filling of Pond 1 at the HMW Project marks a significant milestone in the project’s development.
- Evaporation Process Initiation: The evaporation process, a critical component of lithium production, is set to begin within two weeks following the completion of quality testing.
- Rapid Progress in Construction: The liner installation in Pond 1 has achieved 40 per cent completion, while Pond 2’s earthworks construction is 20 per cent complete.
- Premium Grade Lithium Chloride Production: The Hombre Muerto West Project is poised to produce a high-grade lithium chloride concentrate of 6% Li, equivalent to 13 per cent lithium oxide or 32 per cent Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE), positioning it as a tier-one project in the industry.
- Competitive Cost Structure: With an operating cost of $US3,510/t LCE, translating to a low Li2O equivalent operating cost of SC6 $US310/t-$US350/t, HMW is positioned in the first quartile of the lithium industry’s cost curve.
- Resource Estimate Update: An updated resource estimate for the HMW Project is scheduled for release in Q1 2024.
The HMW project is structured into four production phases.
The initial Phase 1 Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) is focused on producing 5.4ktpa LCE of lithium chloride concentrate by H1 2025.
Subsequent phases include:
- Phase 2: Targeting 21ktpa LCE in 2026.
- Phase 3: Aiming for 40ktpa LCE by 2028.
- Phase 4: Projected to reach 60ktpa LCE by 2030, incorporating lithium brine from both HMW and Galan’s Candelas project.
