Zimbabwean President To Attend First Production Ceremony
Prospect Resources Ltd (ASX: PSC) has revealed that approximately 92% of the EPC scope for its high purity Arcadia spodumene petalite pilot plant has been completed in Zimbabwe.
Managing Director, Sam Hosack, said Prospect has appointed the operations team for the Pilot Plant, with key personnel holding significant lithium operational experience.
The company’s offtake partner Sibelco has requested additional tonnes over and above the original planned 200t so that they can seek qualification with a greater number of customers across Europe and Asia.
Mr Hosack said the early delivery of product will ensure homologation can be achieved in the customers’ production process and will establish clear additional demand for the product within the industry which will assist Prospect in leveraging the value of the Arcadia Lithium Project as a world leader in supply of this and it’s high quality spodumene products.
“The Arcadia Project team has continued to meet the development timeline and I’m pleased to announce that we have completed approximately 92% of the works required to commence production at our Pilot Plant,” he said.
“With lithium market sentiment and prices having increased through 2021, a strong cash balance and the company being shovel-ready to develop the Arcadia Project, Prospect is well positioned to make the transition to development and production.”
Mr Hosack said Prospect has had expanded engagement with a range of strategic groups from across Japan, China and Europe in recent months who have an interest in spodumene offtake and assisting with development of the project.
The company is also set to produce laboratory spodumene samples for a number of these parties over coming weeks to facilitate further due diligence on the Arcadia Project.
EPC milestones completed on schedule and budget include:
- Flowsheet and detailed engineering;
- Procurement of equipment;
- Power supply connection and reticulation on site;
- Laboratory and camp site ready for pilot plant operation;
- Ore stockpile prepared to feed crushing circuit;
- Earthworks and civil works completed; and
- Pre-assembled DMS unit on route to site.
Key commissioning and operational milestones expected to be achieved in June include:
- Complete crushing circuit commissioning;
- DMS module commissioning and first feed;
- Commencement of production; and
- First shipment of high purity petalite product
Prospect has confirmed that the President of Zimbabwe, Mr E.D. Mnangagwa, is expected to preside over the first production of high purity petalite from the Pilot Plant, which is expected in June.
