Savannah Resources Plc (LON:SAV) CEO David Archer talks to DirectorsTalk about the completion and commissioning of it’s Pilot Plant at Mutamba Mineral Sands Project. David explains the significance of today’s announcement, the status of the project and how he sees the current mineral sands market setting.
HIGHLIGHTS:
· Construction of the Project’s 20 tonne per hour pilot plant is complete and commissioning is now underway
· Pilot plant will produce bulk samples of concentrate for metallurgical and product test work
· Test work to act as proof-of-concept for future development model – currently targeting first production in 2020 with estimated average annual production of 456,000t of ilmenite and 118,000t of non-magnetic concentrate over a 30-year life of mine
· Commissioning is expected to be completed by the end of 2017
Savannah Resources Plc CEO, David Archer said in the announcement: “We are delighted to announce that the pilot plant construction is now complete, and commissioning is well underway in anticipation of an official opening in December. The pilot plant construction work has been completed on time and on budget and maintains the Consortium’s fast-paced approach towards the Project including the delivery of a Scoping Study earlier this year.
“Upon completion of commissioning, the plant will provide concentrate bulk samples for analysis and the preparation of final products for test marketing. The completion of the plant is another key milestone for the Mutamba Consortium as we move the Project towards a development decision.
“In the meantime, the overall market setting for TiO₂ feedstocks continues to improve and new supply of TiO₂ feedstocks will be required to meet forecast demand and to ease anticipated market tightness.”
Pilot Plant Commissioning – The commissioning process is expected to take around four weeks to complete and includes three stages:
· Water commissioning
· Sand commissioning
· Ore commissioning