Speaking at the African Down Under conference, Birimian CEO Greg Walker hinted development of a 20-year project that mined and processed in excess of 2 million tonnes per annum could be possible if further exploration confirmed the potential of the new zones.

Birimian is about to complete a prefeasibility study on a 2Mtpa operation exploiting indicated resources of 25 million tonnes grading 1.37% lithium oxide.

By way of comparison, Kidman Resources’ “world class” Earl Grey deposit in Western Australia has indicated resources of 78.5Mt at 1.44% lithium oxide – as well as significant inferred resources.

Further drilling by Birimian is planned next month, with the overall aim being to confirm the project is not “resource constrained”.

Walker said the company is also looking at the potential of downstream processing at Goulamina, producing lithium hydroxide.

He said Goulamina’s pegmatite was low in penalty elements mica and iron and yielded a suitable product for the lithium ion battery sector.

A stripping ratio of about 3:1 was anticipated.

Birimian wants to have Goulamina into production by no later than 2020.

Birimian, which is under new management following a problematic corporate restructure, started the current quarter with A$6 million cash.

The company’s shares resumed trading last week after being suspended for around four months.

Shares in Birimian closed Wednesday at 37c, capitalising the company at $72 million.