Lithium Universe adds Greenbushes veteran Patrick Scallan to the board

Scallan has extensive lithium exploration, mining and processing experience
He oversaw the Greenbushes expansions from 200,000 to 1,400,000 tpa
Lithium Universe is focused on advancing its Apollo project in James Bay, Canada
Greenbushes alumni Iggy Tan is chairman of the Lithium Universe board, which features a number of proven mining and resources achievers

Patrick Scallan, a seasoned lithium veteran with an impressive 25 years at the world-class Greenbushes mine, will join the board of recent IPO Lithium Universe as a non-executive director.

Lithium Universe (ASX:LU7) listed on the ASX earlier this month following an oversubscribed $4.5 million IPO with lithium projects within the highly prospective James Bay and Red Lake districts in Canada.

It also has lithium ground in WA’s Eastern Goldfields and a clay-hosted REE project in Tasmania, but its main game is to quickly establish a resource and construct a spodumene-producing mine at the priority Apollo project in James Bay.

The board is certainly shaping up to have the essential expertise and skill to develop and construct profitable projects, with Patrick Scallan joining another well-known Greenbushes veteran in chairman Iggy Tan.

The Greenbushes mine in WA is renowned as the world’s largest lithium hard rock mine.

Scallan had a pivotal role in overseeing the growth of Greenbushes, transforming annual output from 200,000 in 1997 to an impressive 1,400,000 tpa today.

The company says his hard rock exploration, mining and spodumene concentrating experience is matched only by Scallan’s extensive connections with major lithium refinery converters around the world.

Pursuing an integrated mine to processing hub

Scallan’s extensive knowledge and experience will no doubt be extremely valuable to the ambitious company, which is looking to carve out their slice in the supply chain as demand for electric vehicle batteries grow.

“I am excited by the prospects of evaluating a vertically integrated mine to lithium refinery processing hub concept at James Bay,” Scallan said.

“I see a real opportunity for LU7 to develop a value-added strategy in Québec that meets the Canadian government’s likely requirement for the downstream processing of lithium minerals.

“We have a pedigree of lithium experience in LU7 with a proven track record that can deliver on such a strategy,” he added.

Downstream relationships with spodumene converters

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Scallan is also highly skilled in managing local community relationships, having acted as shire councillor for nearly 20 years during his time at Greenbushes receiving his Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his community and local government contribution.

LU7 Chairman Iggy Tan said this is a testament to Scallan’s commitment to community and local governance.

“He brings extensive experience in the lithium industry, having operated the world-class Greenbushes mine and processing operation, the largest lithium hard rock mine in the world with the highest-grade orebody,” he said.

“His expertise in hard rock exploration, mining, and downstream relationships with major spodumene converters worldwide make him a valuable addition to the LU7 team.

“Moreover, Pat’s community relations experience and expertise will also be vital to the company.”

Exploration planned at Apollo

The Apollo lithium project is just 29km from Patriot Battery Metals’ (ASX:PMT) 109.2Mt at 1.42% Li2O Corvette project and 28km from Winsome Resources’ (ASX:WR1) Adina property.

The 240km2 project is 26km2 larger than Corvette and has 17 reported pegmatite outcrops similar to those that have returned exceptional results in the neighbouring projects.

Exploration at the project will kick off with systematic mapping, geochemical soil sampling and geophysical surveys over the 17 pegmatite outcrops to determine drill targets for maiden drilling.

Also in the James Bay region are the Adina South and Adina West projects which collectively cover 350km2 in close proximity to WR1’s Adina project, where successful drilling recently returned a 107m intercept grading 1.37% Li2O just 2.3m from surface.

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.