Why is the Sayona Mining share price having such a stellar end to the week?

The $80 million restart of the company's NAL project has been completed.

| More on:
happy mining worker fortescue share price

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points

  • The Sayona Mining share price is leaping 2.44% right now to trade at 21 cents
  • It comes as the company announces the successful restart of the NAL project
  • It's expected to produce 226,000 metric tones of spodumene annually

The Sayona Mining Ltd (ASX: SYA) share price is ending the week on a high after the company announced the successful restart of the North American Lithium (NAL) project.  

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) lithium producer has a 75% stake in the Canadian project, with the other 25% held by Piedmont Lithium Inc (ASX: PLL).

Sayona Mining shares are currently trading for 21 cents apiece, 2.44% higher than their previous close.

Let's take a closer look at today's news from the ASX 200 lithium favourite.

Sayona Mining and Piedmont Lithium announce NAL restart

The Sayona Mining share price is in the green this morning on news the $80 million restart of the NAL project has been completed on time and on budget.

Sayona Québec, a subsidiary of Sayona Mining and Piedmont Lithium, bought the project in 2021.

It's now expected to be the only major source of new spodumene production in North America for two years.

The ASX 200 company plans to ship 120,000 metric tons of spodumene from the project this year, supplying the likes of Tesla and LG Chem. Looking forward, the company is targeting 226,000 metric tons of annual production.

Production at the hydroelectricity-powered project will be supported by Sayona Québec's Abitibi Hub projects.

Management commentary

Sayona Mining managing director Brett Lynch commented on today's news, saying:

Our project team has maintained a forward-looking focus to improve lithium capture, achieve more consistent runtimes, and streamline operating costs from the past-producing operation.

Improvements were made as planned in our timeline and budget, and we are eager to see the impact the upgrades bring to both product quality and operational efficiency as we prepare for our first commercial shipments of spodumene concentrate expected in July of this year.

Piedmont president and CEO Keith Phillips added:

NAL is positioned to be a key contributor to the electric vehicle and battery supply chains as demand for lithium continues to rapidly expand along the electrification economies in both Canada and the US.

Sayona Mining share price snapshot

The Sayona Mining share price has outperformed the ASX 200 in 2023.

The stock has gained 10% so far this year.  However, it has tumbled 12.5% since this time last year.

For comparison, the ASX 200 has gained 3% year to date and has fallen 4% over the last 12 months.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Sayona Mining PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.com.au

Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Materials Shares

A group of miners in hard hats sitting in a mine chatting on a break as ASX coal shares perform well today
Materials Shares

Down but not out: Can these ASX mining shares bounce back?

Here’s what one broker is predicting for Australia’s largest mining companies. 

Read more »

Broker analysing the share price.
Materials Shares

Buy, hold, or sell? Broker's verdict on 3 ASX 200 materials shares

Materials was one of four market sectors that weakened in overall value in FY25.

Read more »

A man holds his head in his hands, despairing at the bad result he's reading on his computer.
Materials Shares

Why is this ASX mining stock crashing 14% today?

Let's see what is causing investors to hit the sell button on Monday.

Read more »

Three miners stand together at a mine site studying documents with equipment in the background
Materials Shares

$10,000 invested in BHP shares in FY25 is now worth

Did the Big Australian outperform or underperform during the last financial year?

Read more »

A male investor sits at his desk pondering at his laptop screen with a piece of paper in his hand.
Share Market News

Why did Macquarie just downgrade Liontown resources shares?

Here’s what the broker had to say about this materials company. 

Read more »

A man holds his head in his hands, despairing at the bad result he's reading on his computer.
Materials Shares

Why did Macquarie downgrade Mineral Resources shares?

The broker is no longer bullish on this mining and mining services company.

Read more »

A bricklayer peers over the top of a brick wall he is laying with a level measuring tool on top and looks critically at the work he is carrying out.
Materials Shares

Brickworks shares rise 1% on trading update

Investors seem delighted by a new update from Brickworks.

Read more »

A man wearing a shirt, tie and hard hat sits in an office and marks dates in his diary.
Materials Shares

Does Macquarie prefer Rio or BHP shares today?

Let's find out which mining giant is the better pick right now according to the broker.

Read more »