During the operational review Sayona assessed opportunities to optimise production, reduce costs, preserve optionality and maximise value for shareholders. In continuing production, the JV partners noted that several nearly complete capital initiatives will enhance operational rampup and achievement of steady state production at NAL in 2024.
Sayona's Interim CEO,
Importantly, there is clear line of sight towards achieving steady state production in 2024, while NAL will further benefit from capital improvements such as the Crushed
"Throughout this process, a key consideration was the direct impact on our dedicated workforce and host communities. This review has also validated our approach to continue to assess capital improvement initiatives that will increase production or lower unit operating costs.
"Looking forward, we will regularly evaluate NAL operations in the ordinary course of business based on prevailing market conditions and the ability to achieve our operating cost targets. We are confident that this approach to considering alternatives and maintaining optionality will enable Sayona to maximise value for shareholders ahead of an anticipated recovery in the lithium market.
"Over the long term, we remain optimistic about the demand profile for spodumene concentrate and other lithium chemicals. With high quality lithium resources, Sayona is well positioned as a reliable, strategic supplier of lithium products to serve the North American EV and battery market as the energy transition accelerates."
Operational Review Background
During the latter portion of 2023 and early 2024, the global lithium market declined rapidly due to a lower growth rate of global electric vehicle (EV) demand than projected and increased availability of battery material inventory across the supply chain. The lithium market has experienced fluctuations in previous cycles, however the accelerated downward pricing pressure has forced many global lithium producers and developers of lithium mines to revise production strategies and in some cases halt or moderate production.
NAL has been undergoing a positive production ramp-up process since it recommenced operations in 2023, however it is yet to achieve full production throughput and concentrate output rates. The operational review was conducted to assess multiple operating scenarios and identify opportunities to reduce NAL's cost base, manage cash flow and preserve financial sustainability and value for Sayona shareholders.
Operating Scenarios
The review considered several Continued Operations scenarios at NAL, including a continuation of the production ramp-up to the full plan as well as various moderated production output scenarios.
The JV partners also evaluated various Care and Maintenance scenarios covering options to either slow down or cease mining, process existing stocks only, and suspend operations for up to 12 months.
Key considerations assessed as part of the scenario analysis included sunk costs, the progress of initiatives to deliver production upgrades and unit cost savings, the substantial costs associated with the recommencement of operations following any care and maintenance program and potential impacts on the workforce, community and other local stakeholders.
Review Outcome
Following assessment of these alternatives, the JV partners agreed to continue operations in line with the full ramp-up plan at NAL, with regular business reviews of operating costs and market conditions.
The review found that there has not been sufficient time for multiple capital improvement projects (Crushed
The JV partners are committed to continuing to assess capital improvement projects to enhance ramp-up of production and have determined that there is clear line of sight to achieving steady state spodumene concentrate production at design levels during 2024. NAL also aims to reduce unit operating costs of spodumene concentrate by the end of 2024.
Process Plant Operational Performance
The operational review assessed a range of primary indicators that are within expected tolerance and those that require continued improvement. Year to date (YTD) references below are from
Sayona previously reported that resources were directed towards the crushing circuits of the plant. While there is a continued focus on this area, current plant throughput rates YTD are in line with forecast expectations at 161tph (tonnes per hour) and 8% below design capacity of 175tph.
Process plant recoveries are now exceeding expectations, a significant milestone in NAL's ramp-up process. Recoveries from the plant have exceeded the target of 67% during
Production of spodumene concentrate has steadily increased with a new daily production record of 740 tonnes achieved in
Mill utilisation remains challenging at 73% YTD. Planned downtime aligns with expectations, however unplanned downtime (breakdowns) have impacted overall operational performance.
Severe cold conditions have played a role in the downtime events, however these are expected to reduce as the NAL operations head into the Northern Hemisphere spring. Commissioning of the Crushed
During late
Mine Operations
During the FY24 year, NAL put priority on the launch of the Phase 2 and Phase 3 mining areas.
Productivity has remained consistent, enabling the accumulation of an adequate stockpile of ore on the ROM pad.
The ROM pad stockpile plays a crucial role in managing mine productivity fluctuations and addressing uncertainties associated with the production of ore from the underground stopes in the Phase 2 and Phase 3 areas. Dilution and grade control are in accordance with the mine plan, with the NAL geology team collaborating closely with the mining contractor to optimise the mining sequence and minimise dilution. The results have been reflected in the ROM feed grade to the plant at 1.18% Li2O YTD.
Operational productivity is expected to improve as the mining process moves through the areas of underground workings and into fresh ore, with this progression scheduled during 2024.
Expenditure Analysis
The review also sought to identify opportunities to reduce NAL's operating cost basis, targeting lower unit operating costs on a steady state production basis by the end of 2024. Sayona previously reported unit operating costs for the NAL operation of
The review also sought to identify opportunities to defer non-critical capital expenditure to support the joint venture's working capital requirements. Previously committed exploration funding will deliver further exploration activity at NAL during 2024.
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About
In
prospective for gold and lithium. Sayona is exploring for Hemi-style gold targets in the world-class Pilbara region, while its lithium projects include Company-owned leases and those subject to a joint venture with
Contact:
James Brown
Executive Director/Interim CEO
Email: info@sayonamining.com.au
Republic PR
Ph: +61 (0)407 112 623
Email: anthony@republicpr.com.au
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