Name of the Project
Chvaletice manganese project.

Location
Czech Republic.

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
Euro Manganese plans to build and commission a demonstration plant in 2019 to produce multitonne, high-purity manganese product samples for customer testing and qualification, in conjunction with ongoing studies leading to completion of a feasibility study and submission of permit applications that will require further environmental investigations.

The company expects to continue evaluating potential value-enhancing opportunities for the project as it progresses through the feasibility stage. These include the potential for on-site production of sulphuric acid, optimising building sizing and layout, equipment selection, solid-liquid separation methods, alternative magnesium removal methods, manganese sulphate crystallisation technologies, leaching methods, waste generation minimisation, as well as minimising energy and water consumption.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
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).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

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