Cape Lambert Resources Limited (ASX:CFE) will undertake an engineering review of the Kipushi processing plant as it prepares to begin operations this year at its cobalt joint venture in the DRC.
South African engineering consulting firm GWCH Consulting (Pty) Ltd has been appointed to complete the detailed engineering review of the plant at the Kipushi Tailings Project.
GWCH will visit the plant next week to document their assessment and then make recommendations on the upgrades needed to bring the plant operational.
Initial assessment to be completed
An initial assessment will be completed over the next two months allowing the joint venture to finalise the detailed engineering budgets and schedules.
The joint venture aims to have this process completed by quarter three of 2018 in order to begin processing Kipushi tailings material.
Joint venture company formed
A DRC-based joint venture company, Soludo-Lambert Mining SAS, has been established to develop and operate the project.
Cape Lambert’s 50/50 partner in the joint venture is Paragon Mining SARL.
The Kipushi project consists of a tailings dam and an adjacent mining licence containing the processing plant.
READ: Cape Lambert Resources appoints Bouchart as general manager of cobalt project
Engaging the services of GWCH follows the appointment of Philippe Bouchart as general manager of the Soludo-Lambert Mining joint venture.
Bouchart has extensive industry experience across all areas of exploration, development and production.
This includes more than 15 years working in the DRC and experience with cobalt projects focusing on constructing and optimising metallurgical plants to maximise cobalt recoveries and returns.