Primero has been contracted to design Lithium Universe’s processing hub in Québec, Canada. Pic via Getty Images.
Iggy Tan pulls in another Lithium expert to his Lithium Universe, onboarding Primero for the design of its 1Mtpa concentrator
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- Primero Group awarded concentrator engineering study contract for the planned Québec Lithium Processing Hub
- Design of the 1Mtpa processing plant to mirror Mt Cattlin
- LU7 and Primero will work closely to execute the strategy
Lithium Universe has appointed veteran lithium plant builder Primero to design a 1Mtpa spodumene concentrator for its Canadian assets in the prolific James Bay region.
Boasting a pedigree of lithium professionals from Australia, Canada and around the world, Lithium Universe (ASX:LU7) is building a new lithium empire, with plans to develop several projects to feed into its own local processing plant.
The explorer’s primary focus is on its 240km2 Apollo project, 29km southeast of Patriot Battery Metals’ (ASX:PMT) monster 109.2Mt @ 1.42% Li2O Corvette lithium project.
LU7 is currently taking to the field at Apollo to survey and delineate priority targets for a maiden drill campaign.
But it’s not just about mining – the ambitious junior also plans to travel down the value chain by processing ore into battery-grade material to address Canada’s supply chain concerns.
Québec Lithium Processing Hub
With the signing of Primero Group for the design of the Québec Lithium Processing Hub (QLPH), LU7 is another step closer to realising its integrated lithium mining and processing development.
The expected design of the processing hub is anticipated to be like that of the Mt Cattlin plant, which uses simple dense media separation (DMS).
LU7 says the processing plant will involve a four-stage crushing operation to produce particles less than 6mm, which will then undergo a DMS process.
“Additionally, a small flotation circuit will be incorporated into the crusher under-size stream to enhance recoveries,” LU7 says.
“The company’s team of lithium experts will be assisting Primero in the execution of this strategy.”
Primero: Lithium specialists
Founded in 2011, Primero specialises in providing design, construction, and operational services for resource projects worldwide.
Primero comes with extensive experience in the lithium sector, having undertaken mining services contracts for some of the world’s biggest lithium projects across both Australia and Canada.
Primero’s vertically integrated business model provides for “Build, Own, and Operate (BOO) capabilities”, which it says enables its clients to conserve capital expenditures whilst expediting the transition from an exploration-based, to production-based business operation.
“The appointment of Primero to undertake the Concentrator Engineering Study follows an extensive process to procure a contractor with the suitable experience and capabilities to undertake the design of a stand-alone concentrator with the ability to process 1Mtpa of spodumene ore,” LU7 says.
LU7 chair Iggy Tan says the company is fortunate to partner with a group such as Primero, which has extensive lithium process design experience.
“Their experience includes projects such as Bald Hill, Core Lithium’s Finniss, Covalent Lithium’s Mt Holland, Allkem’s James Bay, the Piedmont Lithium project, and Pilbara Minerals’ Pilgangoora project,” he says.
“The design of the QLPH concentrator will be closely directed and supervised by the LU7 team of lithium experts.
“We know what we want to design and build, Primero will be executing our very specific plans.”
This article was developed in collaboration with Lithium Universe, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.
This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
