March 28 (Reuters) - Pilbara Minerals Ltd PLS.AX :
* TO COMMENCE STAGE 3 PARTNERING PROCESS
* OUTCOME FROM PARTNERING PROCESS EXPECTED IN MID-2019
* RECEIVED INTEREST FROM THIRD PARTIES IN RESPECT OF PROJECT OWNERSHIP AND PRODUCT OFFTAKE AT PILGANGOORA
* CONSIDERING SALE OF A MINORITY INTEREST OF BETWEEN 20% TO 49% IN ITS WORLD- CLASS PILGANGOORA LITHIUM-TANTALUM PROJECT
* PROPOSED STAGE 3 PROJECT WILL SEE PILGANGOORA'S PROCESSING CAPACITY EXPAND TO 7.5MTPA
* EXISTING DOWNSTREAM POSCO JV TO REMAIN SEPARATE AND WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM MINORITY PARTNERING PROCESS
* STAGE 2 AND STAGE 3 EXPANSIONS HAVE CAPITAL COST REQUIREMENTS OF A$231 MILLION AND A$226 MILLION, RESPECTIVELY
* COMMISSIONING OF STAGE 2 PROJECT TO BE DELAYED BY ABOUT 6 MONTHS TO SEPTEMBER QUARTER OF 2020