RE: BCN RNS20 Oct 2021 08:07
Sonora Project Update
Lithium process plant engineering, from the Ganfeng team in Xinyu, is aiming for long lead items to be ordered for delivery to Sonora in late 2022 and early 2023. In addition, Ganfeng is reviewing a lithium plant production rate above the previously planned 17,500 tonnes per year.
Earthworks surveys and geotechnical testwork are ongoing within the plant site area where surface vegetation and topsoil were rescued and removed. In addition, the Company has acquired an additional 500 hectares of land at the eastern end of the plant site location to allow for future plant expansions.
As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 related travel restrictions, the site earthworks engineering packages that had previously been rescheduled will now commence in December 2021, with civil and concrete works scheduled for Q1 and Q2, 2022.
The accommodation facilities for the construction teams are now being manufactured in Sonora, and the first camp units will be delivered to site in December.
The project continues to maintain its previously advised delivery schedule, with the first lithium plant commissioning planned for late Q4, 2023.