Cleantech based mostly its evaluation on a mannequin that requires a mine with annual manufacturing of 20,000 tonnes of battery grade lithium carbonate and an operational lifetime of 30 years, in accordance with measured and indicated assets.
The research estimated accrued internet cashflows — after tax and together with royalties — of $6.3 billion to be generated over the Laguna Verde’s operational life, with an working value of $3,875 per tonne. It additionally estimates an after tax internet current worth of $1.83 billion.
Whole capital expenditure is pegged at $383.6 million, with lithium manufacturing beginning in 2026, although Cleantech’s administration continues to focus on a begin of operations in late 2025.
The corporate famous a pre-feasibility research will start instantly and it’s anticipated to be accomplished within the second half of the yr.
“Chilean lithium sector consultants at Advert-Infinitum have already commenced work on the Francisco Basin scoping research and our board is hopeful that the economics and ESG credentials show to be as engaging as we’ve seen for Laguna Verde,” chief government Aldo Boitano stated within the assertion.
The corporate plans to mine the battery metallic through the use of direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology. This permits drawing lithium from the brine, with out the necessity for evaporation ponds, which ends up in no depletion from the aquifer or hurt to the native atmosphere, the corporate says.
Laguna Verde and Francisco Basin are CleanTech Lithium’s flagship initiatives. As well as, the miner owns the Llamara greenfield venture, positioned about 600km to the south of the 2 belongings.
Lithium costs have soared 1,200% over the previous a number of years as provide has did not match rising demand. That has damage battery makers, who’ve been pressured to lift costs.
The typical worth for a lithium-ion battery pack went up by 7% in 2022, according to BloombergNEF, the primary enhance for the reason that group started their survey in 2010.