Ann: Presentation at Resource Connect Asia Conference, page-57

Joseph is correct , say 224 Mt of resource , but is that is Li02 which is about 1.35 % concentration of the mineral ( using a recent resource statement by Ltr) . It might be concentrated to 5.5 or 6 % for selling but that is not relevant here , the relevant number here to work out how much Lce you can produce from all the rock is the 224 Mt multiply by 1.35 % which will give you about 3.025 Mt of pure lithium oxide .

However you will lose circa 25-30 % of the lithium oxide in the recovery and concentration process , so depending on what number you use for that , let’s say 25% lose, ( Pilbara’s closer to 30 %) your actual pure LiO2 will become circa 2.30 Mt’s .

Lithium oxide is added to a carbonate molecule - the Co3 part , so to get to Lce it gains weight by a factor of 2.473 . Multiply that number of 2.3 million tonnes of pure lithium oxide by 2.473 and you will come out around 5.70 Mt of Lce , not dissimilar to Galans number .

For the purists out there , the 2.473 conversion factor can be derived on first principles by using the atomic weights from the periodic table .

Lithium has an atomic weight of 6.941 . Oxygen an atomic weight of 15.999, so Li2O’s atomic weight is = ( 2x 6.941) + 15.999 = 29.881 .

Lithium carbonate is Li2co3 . Carbon has an atomic weight of 12.011 . So Li2co3 becomes = ( 2x6.941) + 12.011 + (3 x 15.999) = 73.89

Divide 73.89 by 29.881 = 2.473 , your conversion factor. Hence the gross up in the molecular size and hence weight .

See spovend us accountants can do a bit chemistry too