Piedmont Lithium (NASDAQ:PLL) Inc (ASX:PLL, NASDAQ:PLL, XETRA:) welcomes the news its strategic partner Sayona Mining Ltd (ASX:SYA) has taken another step to a restart of the North American Lithium (NAL) operation in Québec, Canada, with a successful trial feed of ore into the crushing plant.
The company is on track for first production late in the first quarter of this year and hopes to become North America’s leading lithium producer.
“2023 will be a remarkable year in every way for Sayona and for Québec as a whole, as the first tonnes of lithium spodumene will be produced at our NAL operation,” Sayona Québec CEO Guy Belleau said.
“The enthusiasm and pride to finally produce lithium here will be carried over to all of our projects and will propel us towards achieving our ambitious goals for all of Québec. The moment will be historic!
“It is here in Québec, in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, that the leading lithium producer in North America will operate.”
Partnership with PLL
Sayona's efforts in Canada are supported by a strategic partnership with American lithium developer Piedmont Lithium Inc.
Crushing successful milestone
On January 16, 400 tonnes of spodumene ore were successfully processed as part of the concentrator commissioning – an important step to kick-start the process.
Each component of the crushing process – automation, electrical and mechanical – was checked and pre-tested by the pre-operational verification teams and involved NAL operational and maintenance teams and contractors.
The crushing process requires a primary jaw crusher, a secondary and then a tertiary crusher, along with conveying equipment. Progress towards the concentrator being restarted reached 90% by the end of last year for engineering and construction, with all environmental approvals and critical equipment received.
Focus on environment and community
Sayona says it has a firm commitment to health and safety, the environment and the needs of the local community, and is expected to play a lead role in the North American lithium industry, making Abitibi-Témiscamingue a hub for the transportation energy transition.
The company says it is committed to the highest standards of ESG, with a zero-tolerance policy regarding safety and community relations a key focus.
Monitoring committees have been set up for both NAL and the Authier Lithium Project to promote mutual dialogue with the community and maximise local benefits, including for First Nations communities.
Some 90% of the NAL workforce is from the local area, and a third are female.
More than C$40 million has been invested with local suppliers since January 2022.
Sayona managing director Brett Lynch said: “Congratulations to our team at NAL for achieving another significant milestone as we advance the NAL restart closer to first production.
“Our key project milestones are on track and I look forward to seeing the first saleable lithium concentrate at the plant as we move towards becoming North America’s leading lithium producer.”