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TLO 5.37 +5.7% BNKR 4.88 +1.7% GG 2.25 +3.2% MJS 0.100 +5.3% PAAS 62.54 +3.6% PE 0.230 +0.0% SGML 17.19 +4.8% LAR 10.34 −1.1% NED 0.025 +0.0% GEN 0.080 +0.0% TVI 0.060 +0.0% SKYG 0.025 −37.5% WRLG 0.660 +6.5% FFU 0.120 −7.7% LOD 0.310 +3.3% CBI 0.110 +0.0% TLO 5.37 +5.7% BNKR 4.88 +1.7% GG 2.25 +3.2% MJS 0.100 +5.3% PAAS 62.54 +3.6% PE 0.230 +0.0% SGML 17.19 +4.8% LAR 10.34 −1.1% NED 0.025 +0.0% GEN 0.080 +0.0% TVI 0.060 +0.0% SKYG 0.025 −37.5% WRLG 0.660 +6.5% FFU 0.120 −7.7% LOD 0.310 +3.3% CBI 0.110 +0.0%
Production / Operations Routine +

Concept Study Identifies Potential Refining Pathway at Shaakichiuwaanaan to Battery-Grade Lithium Carbonate

PMET advances its Shaakichiuwaanaan concept study toward on-site lithium carbonate refining.

By The Northwire Desk — AI Analysis Jun 14, 2026 · 17:00 PMET · 6.16 PMET Resources Inc.
Executive Summary
  • PMET Resources completed a concept study evaluating on-site processing of spodumene concentrate into battery-grade lithium carbonate at its Shaakichiuwaanaan project in Quebec.
  • Primero’s proprietary ALi® atmospheric leach process was identified as the preferred pathway, offering lower capital/operating costs, reduced reagent use, lower environmental risks, and a shorter payback period.
  • Bench-scale testwork in Perth, WA, utilized ~10kg of alpha spodumene concentrate. Calcination at 1,050°C converted 98.8% of spodumene to beta phase. Lithium extraction yielded 93.6% laboratory extraction and 92.5% overall process recovery.
  • The final product achieved 99.8% purity, meeting 2023 Chinese battery-grade standards.
  • On-site refining is positioned as a staged, longer-term growth opportunity and is not required for the base spodumene concentrate project outlined in the October 2025 Feasibility Study.
  • The strategy aims to eliminate the 844 km trucking route to Matagami and the 1,075 km rail route to the shipping port, replacing it with a higher-lithia product shipped from the mine gate.
  • Next steps include advancing the ALi® process to a PEA level of detail over the next calendar year, encompassing additional testwork, flowsheet development, logistics studies, residue management, and potential electric calcination leveraging Quebec hydroelectric power.
Material Impact
  • The concept study represents a logical, expected progression of PMET's strategy to explore value-added pathways beyond raw spodumene concentrate. It aligns with the company's stated goal of capturing additional margin and reducing logistics intensity.
  • Bench-scale results are technically promising (92.5% recovery, 99.8% purity), but the study remains at a conceptual stage. It does not alter the base case economics from the October 2025 Feasibility Study, which targets ~800 ktpa of spodumene concentrate.
  • The announcement is incremental. It de-risks a future value-add pathway but introduces no immediate cash flow impact or binding commercial commitments. The market likely anticipated continued exploration of processing routes given the company's prior metallurgical work on tantalum and caesium.
  • Financing syndicate expansion (Société Générale LOI, EDC, KfW) continues to run parallel to technical de-risking, supporting the broader development narrative without changing the near-term outlook.
PMET · Price
Company Overview
  • PMET Resources Inc. is a critical minerals developer focused on the 100%-owned Shaakichiuwaanaan Project in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec, Canada.
  • Flagship Asset: CV5 Pegmatite hosts a maiden Probable Mineral Reserve of 84.3 Mt at 1.26% Li2O (2.62 Mt LCE). Consolidated resources (CV5 + CV13) total 108.0 Mt Indicated at 1.40% Li2O, 166 ppm Ta2O5, and 0.11% Cs2O.
  • The project also hosts the world's largest pollucite-hosted caesium resource (0.69 Mt Indicated at 4.40% Cs2O).
  • Base case development targets up to ~800 ktpa of spodumene concentrate (SC5.5) using a Dense Media Separation (DMS) flowsheet, with a life-of-mine of ~19 years.
  • The company is actively exploring co-product recovery (tantalum, caesium) and value-added processing pathways to enhance margins and supply chain security.
Read the original news release →

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