Namibia to export first lithium concentrate in March
Namibia’s Ports Authority (NamPort) will facilitate the exportation of around 30,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate every 6 weeks to Mainland China via Walvis Bay Port next month, according to the state owned enterprise.
NamPort’s Commercial Executive, Immanuel Hanabeb in a this week said, Namport is proud to be associated with this project and the long-term benefits it will bring to the Namibian
economy, ensuring Namport’s quest to become a logistics hub.
According to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, Lithium concentrate is used in batteries (42 percent); glass (20%); greases (10%); air treatment (8%); and other (20%).
Salisha Ilyas, Vice President, Investor Relations at Desert Lion Energy – a lithium mining company situated in the south of Namibia, said the overall market today is 200,000 tonnes and consensus estimates are for 800,000 tonnes of demand by 2025. According to her the batteries segment is forecasted to grow to 65 – 70 %.
“Currently the major lithium producing areas of the world are Western Australia (for hard rock) and South America (for brine) and much of this ends up in China for further processing into battery grade lithium chemicals,” she added.
Caption: Desert Lion Energy team with their Asian clients standing next to the stock pile of Lithium Concentrate. At the centre in dark glasses is Mr Tim Johnson CEO of Desert Lion Energy (Middle). On the far right Ms Michelle Kirov of Trade Ocean, and in hard hat is Mr Johny Ferreira, of the Walvis Bay Bulk Terminal.
