LITHIUM: Concentrator restarts as weather warms

QUEBEC – RB Energy (formerly Canada Lithium) of Vancouver says it has restarted the concentrator at its Quebec lithium mine 60 km north of Val d'Or. This winter's unusually long and cold conditions forced a suspension of milling activity for almost five months because the plant had not been completely winterized.

Said president and CEO Richard Clark, "Mother nature has finally decided to allow spring to arrive. This winter in Quebec was extremely challenging. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our shareholders, bankers, other investors and offtake partners for their support and patience. I would also like to thank our employees for their continued commitment and determination."

Concentrate production is being gradually increased, and the hydrometallurgical circuit will be restarted by the end of this week. The ore sorter commissioning is scheduled for the second quarter, and commercial production levels will be reached in the third quarter. The first sales of battery grade lithium carbonate are expected in May 2014.

Read the latest lithium news at RB-E.com.