Name of the Project
Chvaletice manganese project.

Location
Czechia.

Client
Euro Manganese.

Project Description
A preliminary economic assessment (PEA) has demonstrated the compelling potential of the Chvaletice project.

The PEA is based on the recycling of a 27-million-tonne measured and indicated tailings resource (98.3% on the measured category), with a combined grade averaging 7.33% manganese, without the requirement of any hard-rock mining, crushing or milling.

Envisaged is a mine with a 25-year operating life producing 1.19-million tonnes of high-purity electrolytic manganese metal, two-thirds of which is expected to be converted into high-purity manganese sulphate mono­hydrate powder. Saleable product includes 404 100 t of high-purity electrolytic man­gan­ese metal and 2.35-million tonnes of high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate powder.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has an estimated pretax net present value, at a 10% real discount rate, of $781.6-million and an internal rate of return of 25.2%, with a 4.5-year payback.

Value
Initial capital requirements are estimated at $403.9-million.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
The Czech Ministry of Environment has completed a six-month screening of Euro Manganese’s preliminary environmental-impact assessment (EIA) for the Chvaletice manganese project.

Based on feedback from the Ministry, Euro Manganese can now start the next stages of the permitting process of the project.

The company considered the screening procedure important to remain compliant and generating stakeholder input, which will inform the final design and planning phases of the Chvaletice project.

Input on the assessment was received from various government bodies, public agencies, regional and local authorities, as well as community members, since it was open to the public.

The stakeholders’ main concerns have been around the management of increased vehicle traffic and noise, impacts on air and water quality, and the preservation of sight lines to a nearby historic site.

CEO Marco Romero is confident that the company can address these concerns in forthcoming detailed plans.

Euro Manganese targets publishing a definitive feasibility study on the project by the end of 2021, while work on the final EIA will start midyear, also targeting completion by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, procurement and fabrication of the project’s demonstration plant remains on schedule, with delivery to site expected in July. The plant will provide high-purity manganese materials for supply chain qualification by the company’s potential customers. 

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Tetra Tech Canada (PEA); CINF Engineering (comprehensive process design, plant engineering, equipment selection and testing); Changsha Research Institute for Mining and Metallurgy (metallurgical testwork, process design, product development and pilot plant testing); Bilfinger Tebodin Czech Republic (Czech and European cost estimation, localisation and environmental services); GET (geology and sampling, environmental and tailings extraction planning); and Sudop (railway infrastructure design study).

Contact Details for Project Information
Euro Manganese, tel +1 604681 1010 or email info@mn25.ca.