Highlights
- Lithium Universe is set to release its Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) next quarter.
- The project is progressing efficiently with a focus on cost management.
- Key leadership includes industry experts with extensive lithium processing experience.
Lithium Universe Ltd (ASX:LU7) is on track to complete and release the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for its Bécancour Lithium Refinery project in Quebec, Canada, by next quarter. The project, which aims to develop a lithium carbonate production facility, has been advancing efficiently and within cost expectations. The DFS is a significant step in the company’s strategy to establish a strong foothold in the lithium processing sector.
The company's recent progress builds on the completion of a Preliminary Feasibility Study (PFS) in September 2024, just under a year after commissioning Hatch Ltd to lead the initial engineering efforts. Now, with approximately 80% of supplier pricing finalized and the remaining quotations underway, the DFS process is nearing its final stages.
The team at Lithium Universe is also fine-tuning material take-offs and finalizing a comprehensive procurement strategy. This is expected to lead to a capital cost estimate with an accuracy of ±20%, an essential benchmark for the project's financial framework.
Key to this development is the leadership of John Loxton, head of Refinery at Lithium Universe, who brings a wealth of experience from his previous work at the Jiangsu Lithium Carbonate Plant in China and overseeing the commissioning of the first train at Tianqi Lithium’s hydroxide processing plant in Kwinana, Western Australia. Loxton has emphasized that utilizing data from a reference plant has helped streamline the process, ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Additionally, the project benefits from the oversight of non-executive director Dr. Jingyuan Liu, an expert in lithium conversion technologies with experience consulting on over 20 global projects, including roles at Galaxy Resources and Tianqi Lithium. Dr. Liu’s involvement further strengthens the project’s technical foundation.
The upcoming DFS will be a critical milestone for Lithium Universe, as the company prepares to move forward with the development of the Bécancour Lithium Refinery, which plays a central role in its broader production goals.