Wealth Minerals' Positive PEA for $1.15B Kuska Lithium Project in Chile

Wealth Minerals (TSXV: WML) has achieved a significant milestone with the positive preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for its Kuska lithium salar project in Chile, formerly known as Ollague. Positioned approximately 200 km north of Atacama, the project showcases promising financial metrics in the PEA.

The PEA highlights a pre-tax, pre-royalty net present value (NPV) of $1.65 billion, with a 10% discount rate, and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 33%. After-tax figures are equally compelling, with an NPV of $1.15 billion and an IRR of 28%. The robust financial outlook underscores the project's economic viability and positions it as a lucrative venture in the lithium sector.

Key financial parameters include baseline capital expenditures estimated at $749 million, incorporating $44 million allocated for additional exploration and permitting activities. The projected operating expense stands at $5,849 per tonne of lithium carbonate produced, providing a comprehensive overview of the project's cost structure.

The mining operations at Kuska will employ a well field with brine pumping capacity and a reinjection feed system to reintroduce depleted brine into the salar. The adoption of a direct lithium extraction method, followed by refining, is expected to yield 99.5%+ lithium carbonate. The initial production phase targets 10,000 tonnes per year (t/y) of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), with plans to double this capacity within two years through the addition of a second production module.

Wealth Minerals is committed to advancing sustainable practices in its lithium production operations. As part of its decarbonization strategy, the company is exploring renewable energy sources to power the production plant and associated infrastructure. Both solar and geothermal energy options are under consideration, aligning with the broader industry trend towards environmentally responsible and sustainable resource extraction.

Kuska boasts indicated resources of 741,000 tonnes of LCE in material grading 175 mg/L. Additionally, an inferred resource with a grading of 185 mg/L further enhances the project's overall resource potential. These estimates underscore the substantial lithium resources present at Kuska, contributing to its significance within the global lithium market.

Wealth Minerals' Kuska lithium salar project represents a promising venture with a robust economic foundation, as evidenced by the positive PEA results. The company's commitment to sustainable practices, coupled with the exploration of renewable energy sources, positions Kuska as a standout project in the evolving landscape of lithium extraction. With favorable financial metrics and a focus on responsible resource development, Kuska emerges as a key player in driving the future of lithium production in Chile and the global market.