Elevra Lithium Doubles Expansion NPV to C$969M, Maintains US$270M Capex
Elevra Lithium's updated scoping study accelerates North American Lithium expansion by two years and maintains total capex at US$270 million for 4,500 tpd to 6,500 tpd capacity. Incremental project NPV(8%) jumps 102% to C$969 million (US$718 million), boosting total post-tax NPV to C$3.112 billion with a 41.8% IRR and a 25-month payback.
1. Scoping Study Highlights
Updated design increases plant feed from current levels to 4,500 tpd in Stage 1 and 6,500 tpd in Stage 2, targeting 338 ktpa of spodumene concentrate at 5.4% Li2O output with a 71.2% average recovery rate over a 21-year mine life.
2. Financial Impact
Incremental post-tax NPV(8%) rises 102% to C$969 million (US$718 million), lifting total project NPV to C$3.112 billion with a 41.8% IRR, 25-month payback and average LOM C1 unit cost of C$847/t (US$628/t) and AISC of C$922/t (US$683/t).
3. Expansion Timeline and Stages
Stage 1 ramp-up begins mid-calendar 2027 with C$96 million capex, Stage 2 follows in early 2028 using a temporary mobile crushing circuit, and Stage 3 completes by mid-2029 with a C$188 million investment in new crushing and ore sorting, all underpinned by existing NAL ore reserves.