AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group NV on May 15 announced the startup and commissioning of its first lithium concentrate processing plant at the Mibra mine in Brazil.

The plant will supply 90,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate per annum.

"The startup of our first lithium concentrate plant completes phase one of our strategy to add lithium to our critical materials portfolio," said Heinz Schimmelbusch, CEO and chairman of AMG.

Meanwhile, AMG is finalizing detailed engineering and procuring long lead time equipment for the second plant at Mibra, with construction expected to be completed by the end of 2019.

The investment for the expanded lithium concentrate production includes a major reconfiguration of the existing mine infrastructure and the doubling of tantalum production from 300,000 pounds to 600,000 pounds per annum.