The company expects its Rhyolite Ridge lithium-boron project to produce 20,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate.

The deal stipulates that Youngy should process at least 1.05 million tonnes a year of spodumene from its Jiajika mine.

Some of the most important scientific discoveries take place almost without notice.

The tender is now likely to happen in the first three months of 2020.

The decision calls into jeopardy the world's No. 2 lithium producer's $400 million plan to expand its production plant.

The PFS outlined an operation producing 25,000 tonnes per year of battery-grade lithium carbonate over a 30-year mine life.