Project number
25063
Organization
UA Department of Mining and Geological Engineering
Offering
ENGR498-F2024-S2025
The team, MAGJCK Metals, prepared a scoping study regarding the design and feasibility of an open-pit lithium mine located in the Pilbara region of Australia, as prescribed in the 2024 SME Metallic Design Competition Problem Statement. This report comprised Phase 1 of the project and was completed within the three-week window in October 2024.
During Phase 2, the team modified the project to account for the decline in lithium carbonate equivalent prices and projections of continued downward trends in 2025 and beyond due to oversupply and subdued growth in the electric vehicle sector. The team revised the mine plan, made major revisions to the process plant, and updated the environmental and permitting sections of the technical report they submitted to the project’s board of directors. The team represented U of A at the SME MINEXCHANGE Conference held in Denver in February 2025. Team members delivered a thorough presentation of both phases of the project – highlighting the changes to Phase 1 based on updated information and requirements gathered during Phase 2 – and earned second place in the international competition.
During Phase 2, the team modified the project to account for the decline in lithium carbonate equivalent prices and projections of continued downward trends in 2025 and beyond due to oversupply and subdued growth in the electric vehicle sector. The team revised the mine plan, made major revisions to the process plant, and updated the environmental and permitting sections of the technical report they submitted to the project’s board of directors. The team represented U of A at the SME MINEXCHANGE Conference held in Denver in February 2025. Team members delivered a thorough presentation of both phases of the project – highlighting the changes to Phase 1 based on updated information and requirements gathered during Phase 2 – and earned second place in the international competition.