Lithium Power International Ltd: Environmental Approval Received for the Maricunga Project
The Chilean Government's Central Environmental Committee has voted to approve the project's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). This is one of the few EIA's approved in Chile during recent years and it will enable MSB to become the third significant lithium operation in the country with an anticipated 20,000 tonnes annual production for an estimated capital investment of USD563 million.
Focus will now be on finalising the financial structuring for the construction of the project, including possible off-take agreements. Construction is expected to commence by the end of Q3 2020.
The EIA was submitted by MSB to the Chilean Environmental Authority, Servicio de Evaluacion Ambiental (SEA), in September 2018 and was the culmination of more than two years of field and desk work.
The process involved in-depth data gathering, a variety of environmental and engineering studies and monitoring campaigns carried out by experienced company management and consulting experts.
The resulting EIA was a comprehensive 11,400-page document, which included complete environmental baseline studies, hydrological and hydrogeological modelling, human, archaeological and fauna and flora characterisation, and impact evaluation.
The EIA also included a lengthy process of social engagement with the Colla indigenous communities in the area. In addition, significant consultation took place with regional authorities and local organisations, which are all interested parties in the EIA process.
Since the initial submission of the EIA, a 15-month review process was undertaken by the Chilean environmental authorities, during which time three rounds of observations, clarifications and further assessments were resubmitted.
MSB provided responses to the third and final review of the EIA by the environmental authorities in late November 2019, with the Environmental Evaluation Service recommending approval of the EIA on 27 January 2020. The Central Environmental Committee resolved to approve the project's EIA today. Upon analysis of the Environmental Approval documentation, further information will be disclosed if materially important to do so.
Lithium Power International's Chief Executive Officer, Cristobal Garcia-Huidobro, commented:
"Receiving this regulatory approval is the final milestone in advancing our Maricunga project and reinforces our continued strong relationships with the Chilean Government. We are confident that the subsequent commencement of the construction will generate a positive impact both for the local communities and the country."
"Discussions with a number of international financial institutions and potential off-takers are underway and will now be speed up to acquire the necessary funding for the construction."
About MSB
MSB is LPI's joint venture company based in Chile. MSB's Maricunga lithium brine project is Chile's highest grade and most advanced lithium project outside the Salar de Atacama.
In January 2019, MSB submitted its Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) prepared in accordance with both JORC and NI-43101 reporting standards. It supports 20,000 tonnes per annum production of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) over 20 years, providing a pre-tax NPV of USD1.302 billion.
MSB submitted its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in September 2018 and, after a comprehensive two-and-a-half year review period, it has now been approved.
Construction of the Maricunga Project is expected to commence in Q3 2020.
About Lithium Power International Ltd:
Lithium Power International Ltd. (ASX:LPI) is a pure-play lithium explorer and developer, focusing on developing and fast-tracking to production the high-grade Maricunga lithium brine project in Chile.
LPI has a well-known performing technical team with the experience to take the Maricunga project all the way through the development stages to production.
The regions that LPI is currently focused on are:
1. Maricunga JV (Chile) – Located within the "Lithium Triangle", Maricunga is Chile's highest grade and most advanced lithium project outside the Salar de Atacama. The project lies 170 km northeast of Copiapo and 250 km from the port of Caldera.
2. Pilbara (Western Australia) – LPI has three granted exploration tenements covering 203 km2 in the Pilbara region of northern Western Australia. The largest granted exploration tenement is the Pilgangoora tenement which is 2-3 km west of the Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) and Altura Mining (ASX:AJM) lithium deposits.
3. Greenbushes (Western Australia) – LPI has two granted exploration tenements covering 400 km2 in the Greenbushes area of southern Western Australia. The tenements are adjacent to the world's largest hard rock lithium mine owned and operated by Tianqi/Talison.
4. Centenario (Argentina) – Through its Argentinian subsidiary, Lithium Power holds a total of seven granted tenements in the Centenario lithium brine salar within the Salta province of the Puna Plateau. In total, the seven granted tenements cover an area of 68.46 km2.
With the exception of the Maricunga JV, all tenements are 100% owned by LPI or LPSA (including rights to the Centenario tenements).
Source:
Lithium Power International Ltd.
Contact:
Cristobal Garcia-Huidobro - CEO; or Andrew Phillips - CFO Lithium Power International E: info@lithiumpowerinternational.com Ph: +61 2 9089 8723 www.lithiumpowerinternational.com @LithiumPowerLPI