On 6 September 2022, Giyani Metals Corp, developer of the Ok.Hill battery-grade manganese venture in Botswana introduced that it has signed a design-build contract with specialist South African-based hydrometallurgical engineering agency Met63 (Pty) Ltd for the development of an indication plant (Demo Plant).
As a specialist hydrometallurgical engineering and consulting firm, Met63 has been engaged to assemble and fee the Demo Plant in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Demo Plant shall be constructed in response to the method flowsheet developed by Coffey Geotechnics Ltd., a Tetra Tech firm and accomplished and accepted by Met63.
Moreover, the Demo Plant will produce high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM) samples that shall be despatched for testing by lithium-ion battery producers and automotive authentic gear producers (OEM) and
Development of the Demo Plant presently anticipated to be accomplished by mid-2023 with first HPMSM product samples anticipated to be obtainable for cargo in H2 2023.
The Demo Plant venture has the next key aims:
*To show that Giyani’s HPMSM product specs may be achieved primarily based on the method flowsheet developed by Tetra Tech, and accomplished and accepted by Met63 earlier this 12 months, for the Ok.Hill Battery Manganese Undertaking;
*To supply HPMSM samples to potential consumers for his or her provide chain testing and product qualification;
*To de-risk the industrial plant growth by utilizing the Demo Plant for optimization of the continued course of engineering work; and
*To make use of the Demo Plant as a coaching facility.
The Contract covers the engineering, development and commissioning of the Demo Plant, on an open e book and cost-reimbursable foundation. The capital expenditure of roughly USD9.2 million, plus incentives for Met63 primarily based on supply of the Demo Plant on time, inside funds and on specification, shall be funded from the Firm’s present money sources.
Met63 has a group that has intensive expertise in designing hydrometallurgical circuits and makes a speciality of superior modular course of vegetation for battery-grade metals.The Demo Plant is designed for a steady course of, in order that HPMSM crystals assembly the stringent product specs set by potential off-takers may be produced in a gentle state operation.
To assist the continual course of, the Demo Plant shall be geared up with a classy instrumentation and management system that additionally supplies the pliability to make use of the Demo Plant for de-risking the industrial plant growth and as a coaching facility. The Demo Plant can produce as much as 600kg of dry HPMSM crystals per day relying on feedstock traits.
Met63 and the Firm have chosen a development web site in Johannesburg the place the Demo Plant shall be commissioned and operated earlier than anticipated relocation to Botswana. Completion of the development of the Demo Plant is presently anticipated by mid-2023 with commissioning, ramp-up and first HPMSM product samples anticipated to be obtainable for cargo in H2 2023.
This timeline has been made potential by the early procurement of the longest lead gadgets, particularly the 2 crystallizers and related equipment that had been ordered in March and June 2022, that are presently scheduled for supply in Q1 2023, and make up the complete crystallization unit of the Demo Plant that may enable for it to function on a steady course of.
The Firm intends to dispatch HPMSM product to potential off-takers within the European, North American and Asian markets, a lot of whom have already requested samples. Giyani’s HPMSM product will then be examined to confirm high quality and efficiency traits previous to the conclusion of any potential off-take contracts.
Giyani Chief Govt Officer Robin Birchall, commented, “The Demo Plant is a cornerstone of our technique for full industrial growth. Its aims are to validate our course of flowsheet, de-risk industrial growth of Ok.Hill and facilitate off-take contracts with battery and OEM prospects. Signing this contract with Met63, an skilled specialist hydrometallurgical engineering agency with a confirmed monitor file in engineering and development of battery-grade metallic tasks, is one other step in the direction of manufacturing and first shipments of HPMSM within the second half of 2023.
The assist of our shareholders has allowed it to fund the development and commissioning of a bigger Demo Plant than initially envisaged, with a capability of as much as 600kg per day, regardless of inflationary pressures and price will increase throughout the mining business. An rising variety of OEMs have highlighted the potential of manganese-rich cathodes and so our enlarged facility will have the ability to cater for elevated demand for HPMSM samples.
The low carbon course of makes us a great associate for the provision of this important battery materials. With a number of key catalysts on the horizon, together with the discharge our feasibility research on Ok.Hill, Giyani is getting into a really thrilling section of growth.”
