Element 25 Ltd (ASX:E25) has identified a number of potential modifications to the flowsheet implementation strategy which are expected to have a positive impact on capital and operating costs.
As a result, the company has decided to undertake this additional work prior to finalising the pre-feasibility study (PFS) in 2020, representing an extension of the PFS timeline.
The potential improvements to both operating and capital costs are potentially significant and therefore the decision has been taken to undertake this work prior to finalising the PFS.
A more detailed timeline to completion will be provided once the schedule for this optimisation work is finalised.
Multiple PFS-related work streams progressing
E25’s managing director Justin Brown said: “We are very much looking forward to delivering a successful pre-feasibility study to the market, which will represent a pivotal milestone in our journey to develop the world-class Butcherbird Project.
“Butcherbird is unique in a number of ways which positions the company to potentially become a long life, low-cost producer of sustainable, high quality, low carbon intensity manganese products for traditional and New Energy markets.”
All key PFS programs nearing completion
Importantly, to date, no fatal flaws have been identified and the company remains of the view that the Butcherbird Project has the potential to drive a long life, low-cost high-purity manganese production hub.
The open-pit optimisations are complete pending receipt of detailed operating cost estimates and the associated documentation is well advanced.
All the PFS metallurgical test work is now complete and final results are being compiled.
The work to date has identified a number of priority flowsheet implementation optimisation steps that need to be completed prior to finalising the engineering design, which will extend the PFS timeline into 2020.