Name of the Project
Keliber lithium project.

Location
The project is located in Central Ostrobothnia, Finland.

Project Owner/s
Keliber Oy.

Project Description
The 2019 updated definitive feasibility study (DFS) has confirmed the project’s strong financial and technical feasibility.

All the key financial figures have significantly improved, compared with the 2018 DFS.

The project has mineral resources of 9.47-million tonnes grading 1.16% lithium oxide and mineral reserves of 7.46-million tonnes grading 1.04% lithium oxide.

Mine production has increased from 570 000 t/y in the 2018 DFS to 573 000 t/y in the updated feasibility study, with spodumene concentrate production having increased 1% from 112 000 t/y in the 2018 DFS to 113 000 t/y in the updated DFS.

The life-of-mine has remained unchanged at 13 years; however, the mine life can be extended to 20 years by buying spodumene concentrate from third parties.

The flowsheet for the project comprises a conventional spodumene concentrator, concentrate converter and a soda pressure-leach process, which has been proven at pilot scale.

The concentrator plant will be located in Kalavesi, Kaustinen, and will have a throughput of 600 000 t/y.

The chemical plant for lithium hydroxide production will be located in Kokkola Industrial Park.

The design capacity for battery-grade lithium hydroxide production is 12 500 t/y.

Potential Job Creation
The project is expected to employ about 150 people.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The updated DFS has estimated a pretax net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of €510-million, compared with the €295-million estimated in the 2018 DFS.

The pretax internal rate of return has also increased from 24% in the 2018 DFS to 28% in the 2019 updated DFS.

The payback period for the project, meanwhile, has decreased from 5.5 years to 3.7 years.

Capital Expenditure
Capital expenditure has increased from €255-million in the 2018 DFS to €313-million in the updated DFS.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
None stated.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Keliber Oy tel +358 10 567 0600 or email info@keliber.fi.