
January 19, 2022
Lithium Power International Limited (ASX: LPI) (“LPI” or the “Company”) through its Joint Venture (“JV”) Company, Minera Salar Blanco S.A. (“MSB”), is pleased to provide details of the updated Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for its Maricunga Stage One lithium brine project in northern Chile. The study confirms that Maricunga Stage One could be one of the world’s lowest-cost producers of lithium carbonate, with a solid ESG strategy to support a sustainable future.
- Maricunga Stage One DFS delivers US$1.4B NPV (after tax) at an 8% discountrate
- An IRR of 39.6% and a 2-year paybackperiod
- OPEX of US$3,718 per tonne of LCEproduced
- Annual EBITDA ofUS$324M
- Direct development cost US$419M, Indirect cost US$145M and Contingency US$62M for a total project CAPEX ofUS$626M
- 15,200 tonnes of LCE per annum over 20years
Highlights:
- The updated Maricunga Stage One Lithium Brine project’s Definitive Feasibility Study(DFS) supports 15,200 tonnes per annum production of lithium carbonate (LCE) for 20 years.
- ProjectNPV1 (leveragedbasis)ofUS$1.425B(aftertax)at8%discountrate,providinganIRR of 39.6% and a 2-year payback. Estimated steady-state annual EBITDA ofUS$324M.
- Project operating cost places Maricunga among the most efficient producers with an OPEX of US$3,718 per tonne not including credit from potassium chloride (KCl) by-product. KCI production was not considered in theDFS.
- Project direct development cost estimated at US$419M, indirect costs at US$145M and contingency costs at US$62M to provide a total project CAPEX ofUS$626M.
- Exceptional ESG profile aims to achieve carbon neutrality once operation beds down, setting new standards for social relationships. Certification process led by Deloitte will continue during upcoming years as the project advances.
- Project infrastructure including water rights have been secured by long term contracts during project construction and operation. Access to the National Power Grid has been granted, ensuring future power supply including an important component of renewable energy.
- Revised DFS completed by Tier-1 engineering consultancy Worley to international standards, with cost inputs from EPC contractors to provide greater certainty on cost estimates. The Resource and Reserve estimates were prepared by Atacama Water.
- Preliminary indications of interest received from international and Chilean financial institutions and private funds for debt financing and future equity financing of the project. Finance process will continue in coming months.
- Updating of the EPC proposals will commence during Q1. Final Investment Decision expected for 2022, with construction to start immediately after
The Company intends to host a webinar on the 21st of January at 10:30am AEDT. Zoom Webinar, details to be provided upon registration. To register your interest for the webinar please click through to the link below:
https://janemorganmanagement-au.zoom.us/webinar/re...
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Lithium Power International, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
LPI:AU

Sign up to get your FREE
Lithium Power International Investor Kit
and hear about exciting investment opportunities.
- Corporate info
- Insights
- Growth strategies
- Upcoming projects
GET YOUR FREE INVESTOR KIT
The Conversation (0)
09 December 2021
Lithium Power International
A Pure-Play Mining Company Developing Multiple Lithium Mines
A Pure-Play Mining Company Developing Multiple Lithium Mines Keep Reading...
05 December
Livium Receives A$663k in RsD Tax Incentive Rebates for VSPC
Livium Ltd (ASX: LIT) (“Livium” or the “Company”) advises that it has received A$663,000 in research and development ("R&D") tax incentive rebates from the Australian Tax Office for the 2025 financial year ("FY25"), relating to its wholly owned subsidiary VSPC Pty Limited ("VSPC"). The rebate... Keep Reading...
01 December
Why SQM Says Social Dialogue is Key to Sustainable Lithium
As scrutiny continues to intensify across the battery metals supply chain, the conversation around sustainability has moved far beyond carbon footprints. At this year’s Benchmark Week, Stefan Debruyne, director of external affairs at Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (SQM) (NYSE:SQM), made that... Keep Reading...
27 November
Battery Storage Market Surging as Electricity Demand Enters New Era
Speaking at Benchmark Week, Iola Hughes, head of battery research at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, outlined a market that is undergoing “very strong growth" and becoming indispensable to energy security.Hughes described energy storage as the fastest-growing segment in the battery sector today.... Keep Reading...
27 November
Inside Billionaire Gina Rinehart's Key Mining Investments
Australian billionaire Gina Rinehart has become a formidable force in the global mining industry. After taking the helm of her father’s iron ore firm Hancock Prospecting in 1993, she embarked upon a diversification strategy that has vastly expanded her resource empire. Now Australia’s richest... Keep Reading...
26 November
Long State Funding Update
Atlantic Lithium (A11:AU) has announced Long State Funding UpdateDownload the PDF here. Keep Reading...
24 November
CATL Reportedly Plans to Restart Key Chinese Lithium Mine by December
Contemporary Amperex Technology (SZSE:300750,OTC Pink:CTATF) is preparing to restart its Jianxiawo lithium mine in Jiangxi province as soon as early December, sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.The sources, who declined to be named, said the company, better known as CATL, has asked... Keep Reading...
Latest News

Sign up to get your FREE
Lithium Power International Investor Kit
and hear about exciting investment opportunities.
- Corporate info
- Insights
- Growth strategies
- Upcoming projects
GET YOUR FREE INVESTOR KIT
Latest Press Releases
Related News
TOP STOCKS
American Battery4.030.24
Aion Therapeutic0.10-0.01
Cybin Corp2.140.00







