To increase lithium production, the board of directors of Pilbara Minerals approved the restart of NGUNGAJU plant in stages.

, Pilbara Minerals announced on June 25th that lithium production is expected to reach record levels in the June quarter of 2021 in order to increase lithium production in response to today's strong demand in the market.

According to the announcement, the Ngungaju operation (officially known as Altura lithium operation) will restart in phases in the fourth quarter of December 2021 and is expected to achieve a total annual capacity of 180000 to 200000 dry metric tons of (dmt) by mid-2022. Once the project is fully launched, the total capacity target of the Pilgangoora joint project will reach 560000 to 580000 dmt1 pa.

It is reported that in the next 12 months, a total of 39 million US dollars will be invested in plant transformation and operation preparation. The cost of restarting the project is funded by existing cash. If there are preferential terms and conditions further financial support can be obtained through the restructuring of existing debt financing mechanisms.

The shipment volume of spodumene concentrate in the second quarter of June 2021 is expected to be ~ 96000 dmt, over the guidance value of 75-90000 dmt.

The final date for the (DSJV) documents (including due diligence) of Posco's downstream joint venture is July 2021, after which Pilgangoora will make a final investment decision.

Australian lithium producer Pilbara Minerals Limited (Pilbara Minerals or ompany:ASX:PLS) is pleased to report that it has taken further significant steps to increase spodumene concentrate production in its 100% owned Pilgangoora project in Western Australia.

Following approval by the Board of Directors for a phased restart of the Ngungaju plant, these operations are expected to resume in the fourth quarter of December 2021, increasing annual production to approximately 180000 to 200000 tons, which will reach 560000 dmt by mid-2022. This will increase the comprehensive annual production capacity of the Pilgangoora project to 560000 to 580000 dmt1.