Construction Update on the Olaroz Lithium Project
Sydney, Mar 5, 2014 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Orocobre Limited (
ASX:ORE) (TSE:ORL) ("Orocobre" or "the Company") is pleased to advise progress on construction of the flagship Olaroz Lithium Project.
- Liming plant fully commissioned and magnesium removal from brine commences as brine is pumped from pond 4B to 4A
- Gas pipeline completed and awaiting connection by Gas Atacama
- Construction projected to be completed on time and within budget
In terms of physical progress the construction program is approximately 80% complete. A total of approximately US$178m has been spent or committed via executed contracts in the construction project to date.
The southern bore field brine duct was commissioned on 26th February and now delivers brine directly into pond 4B from the southern field. This replaces the temporary trench system which was moving brine to the northern field intermediate pump station.
The liming plant commissioning was officially completed on 10th February. This was marginally behind the end of January target due to issues with the electrical control circuits for the ball mill motor. With the liming plant now commissioned, magnesium removal from the brine is occurring as brine is pumped from pond 4B to 4A. This is an important step in the process of brine purification.
The gas pipeline has been completed and we are now awaiting the gas branch line connection from Gas Atacama to be completed in order to commission the use of natural gas. This is expected to occur in the next two months. There are two gas generators on site with a further seven units in transit.
The reverse osmosis plant is ready for delivery and is undergoing the import approval process, the completion of which is imminent.
Construction works continue on the lithium processing plant, finished goods warehouse and the soda ash warehouse.
The Company continues to follow the "Jujuy First" strategy to successfully work with suppliers and the employment bureau to focus on the hiring of local people from the communities of Olaroz, Huancar, Puesto Sey, Pastos Chicos, Catua, Susques, Jama, El Toro, Coranzulí, San Juan and Abrapampa.
The project implementation is through EPCM (Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management) with a high proportion of local involvement through construction and supply contracts and local employment. The unique community and shared value policy continues to be a key success factor, training local people under the supervision of high quality experienced professionals.
The Olaroz lithium project is being developed by Orocobre (66.5%) with partners Toyota Tsusho Corporation ("TTC") (25%) and the Jujuy Province mining and energy company, JEMSE (8.5%) with a construction budget of US$229m including contingency. First production is scheduled for the end of the second quarter, 2014.
To view all photographs, please visit:
http://www.orocobre.com/Gallery_Feb_2014.htm
To view the release, please visit:
http://media.abnnewswire.net/media/en/docs/76717-ASX-ORE-786483.pdf
About Orocobre Limited
Orocobre Limited is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange (
ASX:ORE) (TSE:ORL) (OTCMKTS:OROCF), and is building a substantial Argentine based industrial chemicals company through its portfolio of lithium, potash and boron assets. In partnership with Toyota Tsusho Corporation (TTC) and JEMSE, Orocobre has built and is now operating the world's first commercial, brine-based lithium operation constructed in approximately 20 years.
In 2018 Orocobre announced the Stage 2 Expansion of its flagship Olaroz Lithium Facility in Argentina. The Stage 2 Expansion will add 25,000 tpa of lithium carbonate production capacity, taking full production and capacity to 42,500 tpa of lithium carbonate for sale to industrial, technical and battery markets, positioning Orocobre as one of the world's largest and lowest cost lithium chemicals producers.
Additionally, Orocobre and Toyota Tsusho Corporation have commenced construction of the 10,000 tpa lithium hydroxide plant in Naraha, Japan. The construction of the Naraha Lithium Hydroxide Plant will further cement Orocobre's position as a global lithium chemicals producer operating at the bottom quartile of the lithium cost curve. This new hydroxide plant will be the first of its kind in Japan and will provide Orocobre product diversification suitable for different battery technologies and the potential for significant margin growth on our primary lithium carbonate being converted to battery grade lithium hydroxide.
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