The mine produced 38,717 wet tonnes of concentrate grading 6.2% lithium oxide, up from of 38,291t at 6.1% Li2O in the March quarter.

 

That brings Alliance's half year total output to 77,008t at 6.15% Li2O, at the upper limit of previous production guidance.

 

It is targeting 65,000-80,000t of production in the second half of the year.

 

For the six-month period, around 62,994t was shipped, including a sample of almost 5000t to a new customer.

 

Tantalum pentoxide production of 35,970 pounds was in line with the previous quarter.

 

Separately, as part of its optimisation projects, testwork to remove tantalum from lithium concentrate has been completed successfully.

 

The company said this morning it was "gaining (a) strong reputation for premium quality concentrate".

 

Alliance has resumed infill and exploration drilling around the mine and mill and, based on evidence of extensive mineralised pegmatites, expects to deliver an upgraded reserves and resources statement in September.

 

Around half its lithium is under offtake agreements and it is in discussions with other parties underway for the balance of production.

 

Shares in the miner were up 4% to 13.5c this morning, valuing the company at $199 million. It has traded between 12.5-33c over the past year.