Production, cost, and shipments at Kathleen Valley Lithium Operation performed in line with Liontown Resources’ (ASX:LTR) expectations in Q4 2024.
Liontown reports strong ramp-up of production delivered 88,683 dry metric tonnes (dmt) for the quarter, bringing the total spodumene concentrate produced since production commenced to 116,854 dmt, with a weighted average grade of 5.2% Li2O.
Four shipments departed the Port of Geraldton in the December quarter, totalling 81,341 dmt of total spodumene concentrate. The milestone of first cargo to long-term foundational customer LG Energy Solution was achieved in December, with the balance of shipments made to existing offtake customers and spot sale customers.
Liontown says 246 dmt tantalum concentrate was also produced at saleable grade, following commissioning of the circuit in October 2024.
Open pit mining at Kathleen Valley moved a total of 2.6Mt of material, including clean ore, ore sorted product (OSP) and waste, with clean ore delivered to the ROM averaging a grade of 1.3% Li2O, in line with expectations.
Underground mining progressed to plan, achieving a record 1,902 development metres for the quarter, at an average rate of 317m per jumbo per month.
First stoping ore is on schedule for Q4 FY25, Liontown says. About 1.3Mt of ore had been stockpiled at the end of the quarter in anticipation of the transition from open pit to underground mining.
Sales revenue of $89.8m was recognised during the quarter.
CEO, Tony Ottaviano says Liontown has continued to make strong progress at Kathleen Valley during the December 2024 quarter, with the ramp-up of production continuing to meet, and in some areas exceed expectations.
“We are now a fully operational producer, having shipped over 100,000 wet metric tonnes of spodumene concentrate to customers since the commencement of production at the end of July 2024,” Ottaviano says.
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
Images: Liontown
