Tag Archives: Peter De Leo

Lycopodium engaged by Barrick for Lumwana copper expansion study

Base metals, Mine operation news, Mineral project development, Mining services, , , , , ,

Lycopodium has been awarded a contract from Barrick for the feasibility study and basic engineering for the expansion of its Lumwana copper mine in Zambia.

The study and basic engineering contract is valued at approximately A$19 million ($12.5 million), with the project having a capital cost investment of almost $2 billion. Work has commenced, with the accelerated development program targeting completion of the feasibility study by the end of 2024 and expanded process plant production anticipated in 2028.

The expansion of the mine will increase Lumwana’s annual production from 150,000 t of copper at a 26-28 Mt/y process plant production rate, to an estimated 240,000 t of copper at a 50 Mt/y process plant production rate, with an estimated 36-year mine life.

Lumwana is a conventional open-pit (truck and shovel) operation, about 100 km west of Solwezi in Zambia’s Copperbelt. Lumwana ore, which is predominantly sulphide, is treated through a conventional sulphide flotation plant, producing copper concentrate.

Lycopodium Limited’s Managing Director, Peter De Leo, said: “The expansion of Lumwana within Zambia’s world-class copper region supports the country’s commitment to its copper industry, and we are very pleased to have the opportunity to continue our partnership with Barrick and be part of this significant development that will have a material impact on the Zambian economy.”

This engagement follows the award earlier this year of the feasibility study and basic engineering contract for Barrick’s Reko Diq copper-gold project in Pakistan.

Lycopodium named EPCM contractor for Liontown’s Kathleen Valley lithium project

Energy minerals, Mineral project development, Mining services, , , , ,

Lycopodium Minerals, a subsidiary of Lycopodium Limited, has been appointed to complete the engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) and commissioning services for the delivery of the Kathleen Valley lithium project, in Western Australia, for Liontown Resources.

The project is on the western edge of the Norseman-Wiluna Greenstone Belt, about 60 km north of Leinster, and 680 km northeast of Perth. It is considered a Tier 1 battery metals asset with excellent grade and scale in one of the world’s premier mining districts.

Having initially undertaken the prefeasibility study (PFS) update for the project, followed by value engineering assessments and subsequently the definitive feasibility study and front end engineering design (FEED) services, Lycopodium now has the opportunity to manage the project through the EPCM delivery phase.

Kathleen Valley is one of the world’s largest and highest-grade hard-rock lithium deposits and, with an initial 2.5 Mt/y production capacity, it is expected to supply circa-500,000 t/y of 6% lithium oxide concentrate. With first production expected in June quarter of 2024, the deposit will also produce tantalum pentoxide.

Mining will predominately be underground, allowing direct access to higher grade mineralisation while minimising waste and the environmental footprint of the project, with mined ore processed through a whole of ore flotation circuit.

Lycopodium will provide the engineering design, procurement of equipment and materials, and the construction management, pre-operational testing and commissioning services for the processing facilities and associated non-process infrastructure at Kathleen Valley, with the contract valued at approximately A$35 million ($24 million).

Lycopodium Limited’s Managing Director, Peter De Leo, said: “Kathleen Valley is a lithium project of global significance that will supply vital battery minerals to the burgeoning electric vehicle and energy storage industries. As we move towards a renewable energy future, the award of this project further strengthens our position as a premier partner in the delivery of lithium projects, and we thank Liontown for the opportunity to partner with them on this important project.”

Liontown says first production from Kathleen Valley could occur in the June quarter of 2024.

Lycopodium builds on Talison Lithium relationship with CGP3 EPCM contract

Energy minerals, Mine operation news, Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Mining services, , , , , ,

Lycopodium says it has been awarded the engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) services contract for Talison Lithium Australia’s Chemical Grade Processing Plant #3 (CGP3), to be developed at its Greenbushes site in Western Australia’s southwest.

Talison Lithium and its predecessor companies have been producing lithium minerals from the Greenbushes lithium operations since 1983, with the area recognised as the longest continuously operated mining area in Western Australia (circa-1888).

The mining and processing operations at Greenbushes have been upgraded and expanded over the decades to increase production and incorporate new technologies as demand for lithium minerals has grown.

The development of this third chemical grade lithium processing plant at Greenbushes will enable Talison to continue to supply the downstream lithium processing facilities of its shareholders currently being established in Western Australia and its facilities in China, Lycopodium says.

Lycopodium’s EPCM services on CGP3 incorporate engineering and design, including earthworks, civil, structural, mechanical, piping, electrical and instrumentation, as well as providing overall project management, including procurement and contracts management, expediting logistics and materials management, and construction and commissioning management services through handover of operational facilities to Talison Lithium.

Lycopodium is very familiar with the Greenbushes site and has an established relationship with Talison Lithium in the development of its Greenbushes operations including the previously awarded EPCM services for the new Mine Services Area project where Lycopodium is currently in the detailed engineering design, critical equipment procurement and pre-mobilisation phase for the project.

Lycopodium’s incorporated joint venture with Monadelphous (Mondium) is also currently delivering the Tailings Retreatment project at the mine.

Lycopodium Limited’s Managing Director, Peter De Leo, said: “We have been working in partnership with Talison for a number of years now, and having supported them through the development phases to optimise the CGP3 project, it is very pleasing to see it is now progressing to implementation.”

Talison Lithium is owned by two companies under a joint venture arrangement Tianqi Lithium Corp/IGO Limited JV (51%) and Albemarle Corporation (49%).