Overview
| Stage | Production |
| Mine Type | Open Pit / Underground |
| Commodities |
|
| Mining Method |
|
| Processing |
- Gravity separation
- Flotation
- Dense media separation
- Magnetic separation
|
The latest expansion, announced in the first half of 2018, will double the production capacity at Greenbushes to 2.3 million tonnes of lithium concentrate a year from 2021. It will add output to feed hydroxide plants being built in the state by the JV partners. Greenbushes is already the world’s largest lithium mine. |
| Latest News | IGO completes transformational transaction with Tianqi June 30, 2021 |
Source:
Talison Lithium is owned 51% by Chinese company Tianqi Lithium Industries, Inc. with the remaining 49% held by US-based Albemarle Corporation. Talison Lithium holds only the lithium rights at Greenbushes, with all other mineral rights reserved to Global Advanced Metals Pty Ltd (GAM) under an agreement between the two companies.
In 2021, Tianqi Lithium Corporation (51%) and IGO Limited (49%) incorporated a new Joint Venture (JV), with a focus on developing and operating world class lithium assets. The JV is currently focused on its lithium assets in Western Australia which comprise of a 51% stake in the Greenbushes Lithium Mine (49% owned by Albermarle Corporation) and 100% ownership of the Kwinana Lithium Hydroxide Refinery.
The deal provides IGO a 24.99% indirect stake in the Greenbushes Lithium Mining and Processing Operation and a 49% indirect interest in the Kwinana Lithium Hydroxide Plant (Kwinana).
Summary:
The Greenbushes pegmatites belong to the Lithium Caesium-Tantalum family. The Greenbushes pegmatite deposit intrudes along a major northwest regional fault zone. It is approximately 2,525 million years old. The pegmatite consists of a large main zone over 3 kms long and up to 300 m wide with numerous smaller pegmatite dykes and pods flanking the main body. The Greenbushes pegmatites are mineralogically zoned in a lenticular interfingering style along strike and down dip. The lithium zone is over 2 kms long and enriched in the lithium-bearing mineral spodumene which often makes up 50% of the rock. Tantalum. The Greenbushes pegmatite has unique features that distinguish it from many other rare-metal pegmatites.
Summary:
Lithium ore (spodumene) at Greenbushes is mined from the fresh, unweathered zones in the pegmatite that are exposed in the open pits.
Mining is traditional drill and blast method with ore graded and stockpiled according to its mineralogical characteristics and grade. Waste material is trucked to designated areas within the site where it is contoured and replanted as part of an ongoing rehabilitation plan.
Processing
- Gravity separation
- Flotation
- Dense media separation
- Magnetic separation
Source:
Summary:
The Greenbushes Lithium Operations has two processing plants, one producing technical-grade lithium concentrates and one producing chemical-grade lithium concentrate. Ore containing Li2O is fed into the processing plants which upgrade the lithium mineral, using gravity, heavy media, flotation and magnetic processes, into a range of lithium concentrates for bulk or bagged shipment.
Various operating modes are used in the processing plants to produce a variety of different lithium concentrates to meet specific customer requirements.
Operational Metrics:
| Metrics | 2018 | 2017 |
|
Annual production capacity
| ......  | |
|
Annual production capacity
| ...... | 1 M lbs of ta2o5 |
^ Guidance / Forecast.
- Subscription is required.
Reserves at December 31, 2017:
| Category | Tonnage | Commodity | Grade |
|
Proven & Probable
|
68 Mt
|
Nb2O5
|
0.023 %
|
|
Proven & Probable
|
68 Mt
|
Ta2O5
|
0.026 %
|
Corporate Filings & Presentations:
- Subscription is required.
News:
Aerial view:
- Subscription is required.