PLS (company)
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mining, Lithium production |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Founder | Five university-trained geologists |
| Headquarters | Perth , Australia |
Area served | Global |
| Products | Spodumene concentrate, Tantalite |
Pilbara Minerals Limited (PLS), headquartered in Perth and listed on the ASX, operates one of the globe’s most extensive independent hard rock lithium ventures. Situated in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, PLS manages the Pilgangoora Operation, which produces concentrates of spodumene and tantalite.
Pilgangoora operation
The Pilgangoora Operation, positioned 140 kilometers from Port Hedland within Western Australia’s Pilbara area, contains one of the world’s largest deposits of hard rock lithium.
Currently focused on supplying spodumene concentrate to the market, PLS is pursuing growth and diversification strategies to become a sustainable, cost-efficient lithium producer and a fully integrated supplier of battery materials. In 2025, a battery energy storage system rated at 13 MW / 8 MWh was commissioned to support the existing 6 MW solar array and 30 MW gas power infrastructure.
Colina project
Located near Salinas in Minas Gerais, Brazil, PLS’ Colina Project was acquired in 2025 alongside Latin Resources. This project encompasses a combined Mineral Resource exceeding 77.7 million tonnes, with ongoing exploration activities aimed at maximizing its potential as a hard rock lithium mine.
Downstream lithium chemical facility
PLS owns an 18% equity interest in POSCO Pilbara Lithium Solutions (PPLS), a collaborative venture with South Korea’s POSCO. In 2024, PPLS finalized construction of a Lithium Hydroxide Chemical Facility in Gwangyang, South Korea.
Through a long-term supply agreement, PLS delivers spodumene concentrate from Pilgangoora to this facility, which has an annual production capacity of up to 43,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide—sufficient to supply batteries for roughly one million electric vehicles.
History
Established in 2013 by five university-trained geologists, PLS is relatively young yet stands as one of the forerunners in Australia’s lithium industry and a key contributor to the global lithium supply network.
From initial drilling to full production in less than four years, PLS’ Pilgangoora Operation has emerged as a major global supplier, representing approximately 11% of worldwide hard rock lithium output in 2024.