Rare Earth Minerals plc (LON:REM OTCMKTS:REMMY) told investors Ausenco Services will be lead engineer to the pre-feasibility study (PFS) at the Cinovec lithium/ tin project in the Czech Republic.
Ausenco was appointed by operator European Metals Holdings (LON:EMH ASX:EMH), in which Rare Earth holds a 16.4% stake.
“Ausenco’s recent experience in the lithium sector and project development will complement the internal team as they develop the Cinovec project,” said REM chief executive Kiran Morzaria.
The PFS is due for completion early in 2017 and will build on a scoping study last year that targeted initial production of 20,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of lithium carbonate.
The study will pave the way for a definitive feasibility study later on in 2017.
Based on indicated and inferred mineral resource estimates, Cinovec is the largest lithium deposit in Europe and the fourth largest non-brine deposit in the world.
Shares in Rare Earth were little changed at 0.42p.