The company has ordered a high-pressure grinding rolls crusher as part of the proposed plant.

The Pilbara board has also approved the order of a ball mill and spodumene concentrate filter, to be placed in the coming weeks.

The tender process is being managed by project management consultant Engenium and Pilbara said base bid prices were consistent with estimates in the September definitive feasibility study.

Pilbara said the order of long-lead items kept the project on track for commissioning late next year.

Last week, Pilbara managing director Ken Brinsden said early works, like road and camp upgrades would start in December, major construction set to begin early next year.

“We haven’t shied away from reaffirming our ability to commission the plant late next year,” Brinsden said.

Financing talks for the $214 million project are advancing with a funding solution expected to be finalised shortly.

Pilbara had $96 million cash at the end of September, which allows it to order capital items and progress early works.

Based on a 36-year mine at a 2 million tonne per annum production rate, Pilgangoora has a post-tax net present value of $709 million, at a 10% discount rate, with a 2.7-year payback period and internal rate of return of 38.1%.

Average annual production is set to be 314,000 tonnes of 6% spodumene concentrate (or 44,000tpa lithium carbonate) and 321,000 pounds of tantalite at cash operating costs of $US196 per tonne CFR in the first 15 years, and $207/t over the life of the mine.

Pilbara shares were down by A0.3c to 43.7c.