Wildcat Resources Ltd. has optimised its development plan for its Tabba Tabba project in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, as it advances its definitive feasibility study (DFS).
The company is on track to deliver the comprehensive study in the third quarter, building upon the preliminary feasibility study (PFS) completed in July last year.
A key focus of the updated mine plan is bringing forward the Stage 2 process plant expansion to a 4.5 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) throughput.
This acceleration aims to concurrently reduce pre-production mining strip ratios and upfront capital expenditure, significantly boosting the project’s early economics.
Metallurgical testwork on material representing the first two years of open-pit operations has returned highly encouraging results.
Wildcat achieved a premium spodumene concentrate grading 5.65 per cent lithium oxide with an exceptionally low iron content of 0.63 per cent
While the previous PFS only considered the spodumene-dominant Leia and Luke orebodies, the upcoming DFS will integrate processing streams for the tantalum resource at Tabba Tabba, alongside the Chewy, Han, and Hutt spodumene-petalite deposits.
A process plant design review has also streamlined the comminution circuit from a three-stage to a more efficient two-stage crushing system.
Wildcat Project Director James Dornan said the metallurgical results provide confidence for the project’s commissioning and ramp-up phases.
“Surveying and geotechnical work over the development site are nearly complete, with no major issues identified,” Dornan said.
“In parallel, we are moving forward on applications for environmental approvals while also advancing discussions for funding and offtake from the project and will provide updates on these as they progress.”
Environmental and heritage surveys are largely finalised, with applications for environmental approvals underway and expected to be lodged imminently.
Led by a strong lithium pricing environment, Wildcat has kicked off funding discussions with government agencies and tier-one mining financiers, reporting robust initial offtake interest.