Bacanora Lithium plc聽(LSE: BCN) that Ganfeng Lithium signed a new joint venture agreement in connection with its investment in the Sonora project in Mexico, following the exercise of its option to increase its stake in the project from 22.5% to 50%.
With a Measured plus Indicated Mineral Resource estimate of over 5 million tonnes (鈥楳t鈥�) (comprising 1.9 Mt of Measured Resources and 3.1Mt of Indicated Resources) of lithium carbonate equivalent and an additional Inferred Mineral Resource of 3.7 Mt of LCE, Sonora is regarded as one of the world鈥檚 larger known clay lithium deposits.
Ganfeng is continuing to integrate its flow sheet for the production of battery grade lithium into the final engineering design and remains on schedule to deliver its final engineering packages to Bacanora during H1 2021, the miner said, adding that first production is expected in 2023.聽
鈥淲e are pleased that Ganfeng and Bacanora have agreed to terms on the updated joint venture agreements and look forward to completion of Ganfeng鈥檚 investment to own 50% of the聽Sonora Lithium Project,鈥� Bacanora CEO Peter Secker said in the media release.
鈥淭he Sonora Lithium Project聽is now well placed to be in production in 2023 and delivering battery-grade lithium products into the fast-growing energy storage market.鈥�
By Monday afternoon, Baconara鈥檚 shares were up 6.3% on the LSE. The company has a 拢127 million market capitalization.