Latin Resources named former Greenbushes lithium guru Peter Oliver as its new executive director and development committee chairman as the company continues to drive its Salinas project in Brazil towards production.
Immediately stepping into the dual positions, Oliver has described the Salinas project as “exceptional” and is confident of moving the operation into its next phase as a major global lithium producer.
As the former chief executive officer and managing director of Talison Lithium – a joint venture (JV) between Tianqi Lithium and Albemarle Corporation and the owner and operator of the world-renowned Greenbushes lithium mine – Oliver brings more than two decades of lithium industry experience to the role.
He served as an advisor to Tianqi from 2013 until 2022 and oversaw significant expansions to the Greenbushes lithium concentrate production capacity and the establishment of the company’s lithium hydroxide plant in Kwinana.
Throughout his time with Talison, he held various key positions including managing director, chief executive officer, chief operating officer and general manager of Wodgina and Greenbushes. Under his leadership, Talison saw significant growth, with a successful IPO leading to its listing on the Toronto stock exchange, substantial expansions and the eventual acquisition by Tianqi.
Peter brings a wealth of lithium development experience having been the key person to develop the world’s largest lithium spodumene mine, Greenbushes. We are now confident, with Peter’s vast lithium knowledge and expertise, we can take the next steps of being a lithium developer to becoming a lithium producer in 2026. Latin Resources managing director Chris Gale
Late last year, the company beefed up the resource at its still-growing Salinas project in Brazil to 70.3 million tonnes grading 1.27 per cent lithium oxide.
The enhanced figure includes a 41 per cent increase to its Colina deposit resource, which now sits at more than 63 million tonnes grading 1.3 per cent lithium oxide – and with an expansion program planned for next year. It also features a maiden resource estimate for its Fog’s Block operation of 6.8 million tonnes at 0.9 per cent lithium oxide.
Management says the substantial increase of the overall resource at Salinas will have a positive effect on the economics of its definitive feasibility study (DFS) that is due for completion this year.
The initial preliminary economic assessment (PEA) mining plan for Salinas predicted phase-one production would kick off in 2026, with an expected phase-two average production set to begin in 2029. The increase of the mineral resource will now include a phase-three extension and expansion to production, which will be evaluated in the DFS.
Recent assay results from drilling show a peak intercept at Colina of 13.56m reading 2.03 per cent lithium oxide from just 98.44m, with a maximum width of 26.85m going 1.39 per cent from 260.75m. Other headline results include a 15.7m hit at 1.59 per cent lithium oxide from 206.09m, 20.74m grading 1.42 per cent from 335.45m and 17m going 1.55 per cent from 139m.
Latin has also delivered positive assays from its campaign at Fog’s Block, about 12km south-west of Colina, with peak results of 17.52m at 1.48 per cent lithium oxide from 250.58m and 12.6m grading 1.15 per cent from 173.4m.
Management says an extensive follow-up drilling program at its high-priority Planalto prospect is set to kick off within months in a bid to deliver a maiden resource for the area.
With Oliver now officially on board and plenty of scope for expansion at Salinas, Latin appears to be well on track with its bold plans to enter the ranks of lithium producers by 2026.
Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: office@bullsnbears.com.au