From the original Quebec lithium study.
These, of course are the same guys that actually produced carbonate at NAL, which you saw.. It dont think the ever achieved their targets and later became RB energy, who couldn't finance it and it went to Jien.
Possibly-
3800tpd x365= 1387000 x 90%= 1248300 x
67.6%recovery = 8438508 ore for 20kt LCE= 42.19 /tonne
3800tpdx365=1387000 x 90%= 1248300x
77% recovery = 961191/42.19 = 22782 LCE
My take-
You need to work out the ore required versus the output to carbonate.
The original calculation was 3800 tpd for 20,000 carbonate, with the plant operational 90% of the year, and a lithium recovery rate of 67.6%, using the old concentration circuit.
As far as I know, we are still approved to 3800tpd, we are not yet approved for 4200tpd.
With the improvements to the concentration circuit, at 3800 tpd , we have a projected 77% recovery rate to get us to our 226kt/pa.
If you back track to the original Quebec lithium study, and work with our improved lithium recovery rate of around 77%, from 3800tpd, we should produce 22782 LCE.
I think its where they (Hatch) probably arrived at this figure, and so that is what SYAQ/ Guy are running with FOR THE MOMENT.
As they have improved the concentration circuit, they will improve the refining circuit.
For me it depends on the permit to go to 4200tpd and Hatch finding improvements in the refining circuit, which like the concentration circuit, should not be difficult to achieve.
Eventually, I think they will achieve around 230kt sc6, and if it was all refined, probably around 30kt LCE, of which they could portion amounts for pure sc6, carbonate, hydroxide, or a combination of all 3.
Which will depend on what deals/offtakes are currently being struck.
As outlined by Brett at the AGM and a couple of days ago by Keith in a Bloomberg interview.
Just remember - Mr Yves Desrosiers, December 2016
NAL hired a consulting firm, and two experts that worked with similar plants in China to help and support in the startup. NAL is afull production scale plant with a nameplate production level of 20,000 tonnes per year of lithium carbonate. It uses a standard & proven process. No proprietary processes, or processes in need of demonstration. Plant also has the potential to produce lithium hydroxide. Good/Excellent access to infrastructure. No Fly-in/Fly-out. Complex near a mining town and is easily accessible by roads all year round.
(20min delay)