James Bay
A highly competitive spodumene project strategically located to supply rising demand
The Project is located in northern Québec, approximately 130 km east of James Bay and the Cree Nation of Eastmain community. Québec is a highly attractive investment destination for lithium production due to its supportive resource development sector, access to skilled labour and its proximity to the emerging European and North American electric vehicle markets. Canada also has free trade agreements with the United States and the European Union.
Galaxy is proposing to develop a lithium mine located adjacent to the Billy Diamond Highway which provides access to key infrastructure in the region. The 2021 James Bay Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) details a 330ktpa spodumene operation utilising conventional open pit mining methods and a process flowsheet and plant design similar to Mt Cattlin.
Galaxy’s spodumene expertise from the success of its Mt Cattlin operations has been applied to the design and development of the James Bay Project. As a result, the PEA demonstrates that James Bay will be the most competitive operation in the region with the lowest capital and operating costs. Shallow, high-grade mineralisation with favourable characteristics also supports the low-cost operation.
The Project has a Mineral Resource Estimate of 40.3 Mt @1.40% Li2O and a Maiden Ore Reserve is expected later in 2021. Mineralisation is open to the north and east and preliminary exploration targets identified. For further information on James Bays’ Mineral Resource, click here.
The strategy for development is to progress the upstream mine and concentrator operation to a “construction-ready” status whilst simultaneously investigating integration with a downstream conversion facility.
For further information on the James Bay PEA and development plan, click here.
HIGHLIGHTS
- 330ktpa spodumene production over 18 years
- High-grade, near surface mineralisation with favourable characteristics
- Resource grade of 1.4% Li2O and strip ratio of 3.7: 1 LOM
- Utilising spodumene expertise from successful operations at Mt Cattlin
- Well serviced by key infrastructure and hydropower
- Strong stakeholder relations, particularly with Cree First Nations
James Bay is accelerating to "construction-ready" status by the end of 2021
Financial Summary
US$244 million Development capital
US$ 290/ tonne FOB Montreal cash operating costs
US$560 million Pre-tax NPV (8% discount rate)
39.6% Pre-tax IRR
2.2 years Pre-tax pay back period
Utilising spodumene expertise at James Bay
Galaxy is in a unique position as James Bay is it’s second spodumene asset
Applying internal knowhow from Mt Cattlin to James Bay development
Key technical personnel overseeing design works in mine and plant
Successful optimisations at Mt Cattlin to be built into James Bay design from the start
Drill & blast planning and powder factor optimisation
Mine planning, resource to reserve conversion for pegmatite
DMS-centric processing and the potential for ultra-fines DMS
Concentrate grade/recovery tradeoffs and determining economic sweet spot
Ability to commission, ramp up and operate in campaign mode if necessary
Mine planning, drill & blast design, metallurgical accounting and maintenance systems
In depth knowledge of spodumene conversion industry and downstream sectors