Sibanye-Stillwater: Progress on its green metals strategy
During Q1 2022 the acquisition of the Sandouville nickel refinery in Le Havre, France was concluded. Integration of the Sandouville plant has commenced and further detail will be provided in its H1 2022 results.
Positive progress has also been made at the Keliber project. The Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) confirms the robust technical and financial case for the project.
The updated DFS was finalised in January 2022 and issued by Keliber on 25 March 2022, confirmed a solid financial and technical feasibility for Keliber’s lithium project. First production of battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate is planned for 2024, with full production in 2026.
The average LiOH price used in Keliber’s financial model is US$24,936/tonne, significantly below the current price of around US$70,000/tonne. The forecasted demand for lithium hydroxide remains robust, which is reflected in the price outlook of lithium hydroxide.
On 27 April 2022, Keliber was granted the Building permit for its Lithium Chemical plant by the city of Kokkola. The lithium chemical plant will be built in the Kokkola Industrial Park (KIP) in Finland. At the chemical plant, Keliber’s spodumene concentrate is converted to battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate, used in electric vehicles batteries, among other things.
