Roskill reports: “Pilbara Minerals has completed its first delivery of around 40 t of primary tantalite concentrate to the major capacitor manufacturer Global Advanced Metals (GAM) as part of the Mine Gate Off-take Agreement. It aims to supply GAM with 100,000 lb of 4-5% tantalum concentrate, for an initial two years, from its projected 321,000 lb of annual tantalite production (based on a low-grade concentrate).

“Pilbara Minerals also announced a revised JORC estimate this week on its Pilbara region lithium-tantalum Pilgangoora project of 226.0 Mt grading 1.27% Li2O (spodumene), 116ppm Ta2O5, and 0.60% Fe2O3. The corresponding reserve estimate increased by 35% to 108.2 Mt grading 1.25% Li2O (equivalent to 1.36 Mt of contained Li2O), 120ppm Ta2O5 (28.5 Mlb contained), and 1.17% Fe2O3. Proposed mine life has now been extended by around 23 years based on 5 Mt/y Stage 2 project plans. Pilbara Minerals plans further drilling in the March Quarter 2019.”

Pilbara Minerals’ 100%-owned Pilgangoora mine, located 120 km from Port Hedland in Western Australia’s resource-rich Pilbara region, is one of the biggest newly producing lithium ore (spodumene) deposits in the world, with a globally significant hard rock spodumene resource. It is readily accessible by road, with relatively simple access to existing infrastructure (including downstream port facilities) at the existing port of Port Hedland.