Name of the Project
Authier lithium project.

Location
La Motte, Quebec, Canada.

Client
Sayona Mining.

Project Description
A positive definitive feasibility study (DFS) for the Authier project has shown its potential to be a profitable and sustainable new lithium mine. The project has total reserves of 12.1-million tonnes grading 1% lithium oxide (Li2O), and total resources of 20.94-million tonnes grading 1.01% Li2O.

The Authier deposit will be mined by opencut methods enhanced by the shallow and thick nature of the mineralisation, allowing for spodumene ore to be processed from the start of mining. The DFS has demonstrated a life-of-mine (LoM) strip ratio of 6.9:1 (waste to ore) providing a low mining cost.

The DFS is based on an average ore feed of 1 850 t/d or about 675 500 t/y to the process plant to deliver average spodumene concentrate output of 87 400 t/y at 6% Li2O.

The LoM production target of 12.1-million tonnes is comprised entirely of proven and probable ore reserves.

The mine will produce 1.58-million tonnes of spodumene concentrate over its 18-year LoM.

Potential Job Creation
The new mine could create 150 jobs in construction and up to 160 jobs in operation, with Sayona aiming to give priority to local employment and suppliers.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has a pretax net present value of C$184.8-million and an internal rate of return of 33.7%, with an estimated payback of 2.6 years.

Value
The cost to develop the project is estimated at C$89.99-million.

Duration
Production is schedule for 2020.

Latest Developments
Sayona Mining is targeting the necessary permits for the project by September 2019.

The project has been designed to access the permitting route under Section 22 of the Quebec Environmental Quality Act. This requires that the project remains under a maximum production threshold of 2 000 t/d.

Under this pathway, which includes environmental studies, public consultation is undertaken by the proponent in accordance with Mining Act specifications.

Following recent consultations with stakeholders in Quebec, Sayona has reaffirmed that the project does not have any major environmental issues, as demonstrated in the environmental assessment study delivered in May 2018 and the hydrogeological study. The project has also received unanimous support from the municipal council of La Motte, where it is located.

Sayona has also completed a public consultation based on the Mining Act, which contains recommendations for project improvements. A number of these measures will be adopted to further enhance the project.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.

Contact Details for Project Information
Sayona Mining, tel +61 7 3369 7058 or email info@sayonamining.com.