Liontown Resources has taken a significant step forward in its plans for the Kathleen Valley lithium project in Western Australia that is set for first concentrate in 2024: the ordering of one of its critical components, a semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill from Metso Outotec.

The company said the contract award, which has a value of about A$10 million, includes the design, fabrication and delivery of the 7.9-metre-diameter, 5.5-megawatt Premier model mill with a 4.4-m effective grinding length. The scope also includes all lining, lubrication, cooling, electrical and mechanical drive systems.

“The SAG mill will accommodate both base production of 2.5 Mtpa and the planned expansion to 4 Mtpa in Year 6 of the mine plan,” Liontown officials said. 

“The SAG mill is one of several critical long-lead items identified for early award and represents the largest single piece of equipment required to be purchased for the project by size, value and lead time,” noting that its key long-lead items are expected to be awarded in the coming six months so the project may remain on schedule.

Other key elements still to come include final permitting and securing the engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) partner to build and commission the Kathleen Valley project; on the latter, a targeted final investment decision (FID) milestone has been set for the end of the second quarter of this year.

The 100%-owned Kathleen Valley project, located 400 kilometres north of Kalgoorlie in the north-eastern Goldfields region, has a 23-year projected mine life.

Source: Liontown Resources