Altura Mining Ltd. said Oct. 9 that its first shipment of spodumene concentrate produced at its namesake lithium mine in Western Australia departed Port Hedland.

The initial shipment of 5,000 dry tonnes is headed to off-take partner Lionergy Ltd. in China. A second shipment of spodumene concentrate is expected to occur late this month.

The company will continue with its focus on production ramp-up to its nameplate capacity of 220,000 tonnes per annum at the mine.