Giyani Metals Corp (TSX-V:EMM, OTC:CATPF) has provided a significant update on the construction of its Demonstration Plant for the K.Hill battery-grade manganese project in Botswana.
The company highlighted key developments at the Demo Plant, located in Johannesburg, including the installation of all Process Modules with cabling and piping work underway ahead of commissioning.
At the same time, metallurgical testwork is underway at CM Solutions to optimize the flowsheet. Giyani is focused on reducing the use of reagent where possible and has evolved its process to remove hydrofluoric acid, removing the need to store and handle this potentially hazardous product at the Demo Plant and planned Commercial Site.
Testing continues on the Yokogawa Distributed Control System software that will allow the Demo Plant to operate on a continuous flow basis, rather than a batch basis.
The plant’s continuous process flow is a notable feature, helping to demonstrate consistent production of battery-grade manganese which is essential for securing offtake agreements.
Minopex has been engaged to operate the Demo Plant, which remains on schedule to produce up to 600 kg of high-purity manganese per day in Q4 2024.
The plant's design mimics the larger planned Commercial Plant, designed at a 1:10 scale, offering insights to optimize future operations in parallel with a Definitive Feasibility Study due for completion in 2025.
Giyani CEO Charles FitzRoy said the company was entering a “metamorphic stage” on its trajectory as a battery metals developer with the first production of battery-grade manganese set for Q4.
“The Demo Plant, to our knowledge, is the largest of its kind in the world, and offers Giyani many advantages that would not be available with other smaller or non-continuous facilities,” FitzRoy said.
“In particular, the continuous process flow of the Demo Plant will allow the team to target steady-state operations, and prove Giyani’s ability to produce consistent battery-grade manganese to potential offtake partners, as well as the ability to satisfy offtake requirements.
“The Demo Plant’s ability to operate continuously at this pre-commercial scale will allow Giyani to understand how the Commercial Plant will respond, allowing pre-emptive engineering to de-risk potential issues that could arise during ramp-up and operations.”
The successful construction and operation of the Demo Plan will showcase the inherent value of the project to investors, FitzRoy added.
“The value of this facility as a tool to optimize our proprietary flowsheet and reduce operating costs is immeasurable and will ultimately advance Giyani’s development as a producer of high-grade manganese for the EV battery market,” he said.