Green Technology Metals Updates PEA for Root Lithium Project in Ontario

North America-focused Green Technology Metals (ASX:GT1,OTC Pink:GTMLF) has completed an updated preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for its Root lithium project in Ontario, Canada.

Green Technology Metals said the PEA evaluates Root on a standalone basis, while a December 2023 PEA combined Root with the company's advanced Seymour lithium project. The new PEA considers Root's recently updated resource estimate, changed lithium market conditions and revised pit optimisations and mine development options.

“(The PEA confirms Root) as a technically and economically robust standalone operation,” Managing Director Cameron Henry said. “With a longer mine life, reduced upfront capital requirements, and strong economics, Root is well-positioned to support GT1’s broader strategy of establishing a vertically integrated lithium supply chain in Ontario.”

Root is situated within the English River Subprovince, which is part of the Precambrian Canadian Shield.

The development currently holds a total resource estimate of 20.1 million tonnes at an average grade of 1.24 percent lithium oxide, including an indicated resource of 10 million tonnes grading 1.33 percent.

The chosen development option for Root results in a rise in net present value (NPV) to US$668 million, up 22 percent compared to the December 2023 PEA. However, the NPV is lower during the early processing years due to the PEA using more conservative pricing assumptions for SC5.5, which is spodumene concentrate containing 5.5 percent lithium oxide.

The payback period has also been extended for this reason and is now estimated at three years.

According to Green Technology Metals, US$330 million is needed to achieve the potential mine development outcomes indicated in the PEA. It says it has a "reasonable basis" to believe it can achieve this with its staged funding strategy.

Green Technology Metals currently has a growing lithium portfolio in Ontario, including the Seymour and Junior projects, which are in close proximity to each other. The company is advancing Seymour toward production; construction is expected to begin in 2026, with first spodumene concentrate expected in 2027. The company is also planning a lithium conversion facility within its projects’ vicinity in Thunder Bay, Ontario, to which Root would provide feedstock.

Following the PEA, the company's focus at Root will be advancing permitting and consultation activities alongside a prefeasibility study. If it enters operation, Root is expected to produce 213,000 dry tonnes of SC5.5 spodumene annually.

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Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.