LITHIUM: Nemaska gives green light to lithium hydroxide plant

QUEBEC – Nemaska Lithium of Quebec City has given the go ahead to phase one of a 500-t/y lithium hydroxide and carbonate process facility in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. The $25-million budget was prepared by Met-Chem Canada to cover construction and installation including a 15% contingency. Engineering, procurement and construction management are included.

The new plant will generate a cash flow before the Whabouchi mine and concentrator come on stream in the James Bay region of the province. (see CMJ Headline News, Nov. 19, 2011.)

Phase one of the processing plant will recover lithium by by-product lithium sulphate sourced from industrial rejects. It will be commissioned in December 2013, and production will follow in January 2014. Phostech Lithium of Candiac, QC, has signed an offtake agreement. Samples of products will also be made for prospective clients.

Learn more at NemaskaLithium.com.