Element 25 Ltd (ASX:E25) has been awarded $490,000 to assist with the demonstration of the viability of Intermittent Dynamic Electrowinning (IDE) technology.
This represents half the $980,000 budget the company plans to invest in evaluating this technology as a possible renewable power source for the Butcherbird Project in Western Australia.
The goal is to maximise project economics by increasing renewable energy penetration for the production of high purity metals, specifically electrolytic manganese metal (EMM),
PFS work to date has shown that whilst the availability of natural gas at Butcherbird provides a robust base case for power, a combination of wind, solar and gas would increase economics.
READ: Element 25 completes PFS metallurgical drilling at Butcherbird Manganese Project
E25’s executive director Justin Brown said: “The company is pleased to partner with ARENA on this exciting aspect of work at Butcherbird.
“Whilst we already have a strong base case using a gas only power solution, this grant funding will add further value to the world class Butcherbird High Purity Manganese Project by helping it to become a long-term producer of potentially the world’s cleanest, greenest high purity manganese products at bottom quartile costs powered with renewable energy.”
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is an independent government agency that invests billions of dollars into renewable energy projects.
Murdoch University to undertake test work
The test work will be undertaken at Murdoch University’s extractive metallurgy division.
The outcomes of the work will be incorporated into the company’s PFS, currently in progress and scheduled for completion in 2019.
The success of pilot activities will enable the implementation of a low cost, low emissions solution for the Butcherbird Project, and the potential rollout to other metal producers in Australia.
The future possible benefits include an increase in downstream metals processing in Australia with multiplier effects on the economy.