Name of the Project
Pilgangoora midstream demonstration plant.

Location
Pilgangoora, Australia.

Project Owner/s
The project is a joint venture between Pilbara Minerals and Calix.

Project Description
The project aims to demonstrate the potential to reduce carbon emissions intensity for the hard-rock lithium supply chain through the creation of a high-purity lithium-rich chemical salt (midstream product or lithium phosphate) using electric calcination that could be powered by renewable energy when available.

In full production, the project will produce more than 3 000 t/y of lithium phosphate from a 27 000 t/y spodumene concentrate feedstock mass.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
A$104.9-million, which will be partially funded through a A$20-million Australian government grant. Pilbara Minerals will fund A$67.4-million of the remaining budgeted construction expenditure. Calix will pay the remaining A$17.5-million.

Planned Start/End Date
First lithium salt is targeted for the June quarter of 2025, with the project to ramp up to steady-state production in the March quarter of 2026.

Latest Developments
Pilbara Minerals will  – after completion of construction works in progress – pause construction of the midstream demonstration plant until market conditions have improved or further government support for project continuation can be secured.

The project remains on budget and was 60% complete at the end of September.

In a joint statement, Calix and Pilbara stated that they remained committed to progressing the demonstration plant and continue to engage with various government bodies with regard to further funding options.

Progress on the project to date allows for a rapid restart and progress to the commissioning phase once conditions allow for that, Calix CEO and MD Phil Hodgson has said.

The demonstration plant will aim to produce lithium salts through a midstream “value-added” refining process using Calix’s patented calcination technology. The plant will aim to deliver superior value-added lithium product enabling lower product cost, reduced carbon energy intensity and reduced waste product.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Pilbara Minerals, tel +61 8 6266 6266.
Calix, tel +61 2 8199 7400 or email investorrelations@calix.global.