Liontown Resources (ASX:LTR) has begun underground production stoping at the Kathleen Valley Lithium Operation’s Mt Mann orebody in Western Australia, with the first blast fired on schedule.
As “Australia’s first underground lithium mine”, Mt Mann is expected to offer distinct advantages over traditional open-pit operations.
Liontown, which has a market capitalisation of $1.14 billion, says these advantages will be achieved through cleaner ore extraction by reducing ore dilution from waste contamination, supporting higher lithia recoveries and improved ore fragmentation for optimised throughput.
CEO Tony Ottaviano says starting the underground stoping on schedule is a proud milestone for the company.
“This achievement was made possible by advanced planning, the dedication of our team and the support from our mining partner, Byrnecut, ensuring the first stope blast at Mt Mann proceeded as planned,” Ottaviano says.
“As part of the normal preparations and planning, we undertook underground ore trials in the March quarter, in advance of first stoping, to understand the optimal plant performance settings.
“The trials delivered results in line with our study work, which reinforces our confidence in transitioning to full underground operations.”
Liontown is focused on continuing the mine development to advance the decline, opening additional working areas and ramping up the underground operations progressively.
The Kathleen Valley Operation is located on the western edge of the Norseman-Wiluna Greenstone Belt within the Archaean Yilgarn Craton of Western Australia.
Liontown Resources is a battery minerals provider focused on its two major lithium deposits in Western Australia.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Liontown Resources
