CleanTech Lithium PLC (AIM:CTL, OTCQX:CTLHF) has decided to locate the carbonation plant for its Laguna Verde project at Copiapó, an established mining centre in Chile.
Consultant Worley assessed the potential sites and concluded that splitting the location of the facilities was the best option rather than basing everything at Laguna Verde.
“The option of locating the DLE plant and eluate concentration stages at the Laguna Verde site, and the carbonation plant at Copiapó is highly favourable,” CleanTech added.
As a result, a concentrated eluate with 6% lithium, the maximum concentration before lithium salts begin to precipitate, will be transported to Copiapó for impurity removal and carbonation stages.
This configuration results in a minor increase in volumes transported while taking advantage of Copiapó's well-developed infrastructure and better access to a skilled workforce.
Approximately 70% of the operational workforce will be employed at the carbonation plant, locating it in Copiapó provides major advantages in hiring a local workforce.
The footprint at the Laguna Verde project site, which is at 4300m above sea level, will be greatly reduced, from power supply, storage, camp and plant facilities, construction phase impacts, and environmental impacts.
The Copiapó plant will also eventually be expanded to treat concentrated eluate from the Viento Andino project.
The PFS, now due for completion before the end of this year’s fourth quarter, will include updated capex and opex estimates.
Steve Kesler, CleanTech’s executive chairman and interim CEO, said using two locations would reduce the footprint and impacts at Laguna Verde, and take advantage of existing infrastructure, power supply and skilled workforce in Copiapó.
“The plant at Copiapó can then be expanded to treat material from our Viento Andino project and potentially others,” said Kesler.