ASX-listed rare earths miner Viridis Mining & Minerals has placed its first major equipment purchase order for the Colossus rare earth project, in Brazil, for a residue pressure filtration package supplied by Dewater Filter Press.

The purchase order covers the design, manufacture, fabrication, testing and supply of the residue pressure filtration package, which is a critical component of the Colossus processing flowsheet that will undertake solid-liquid separation of the processed clay prior to its return for mine rehabilitation.

Viridis selected Dewater for the order after an extensive 12-month competitive tender and technical evaluation process with leading global pressure filtration suppliers.

The process included testwork using Colossus residue, contractual performance guarantees and evaluation of Dewater's manufacturing and testing facilities. Viridis says the dedicated testwork having been undertaken by Dewater using Colossus residue has confirmed the final equipment sizing and operational parameters, which supports contractual performance guarantees for both throughput and final residue moisture specification.

The residue pressure filtration package is a major long-lead procurement item that sits firmly on the project’s critical path, with an expected manufacturing period of about 12 months. Early placement of this order allows Viridis to secure manufacturing capacity, start vendor engineering and fabrication and align equipment delivery with the planned construction and commissioning sequence.

This structure allows Viridis to advance critical-path engineering and procurement activities while limiting its capital commitment prior to a final investment decision on the project.

Coupled with another previously awarded 138 kV grid connection contract, Viridis says the Colossus project's execution is now firmly underway and on track to start production in 2028.

"With only three significant rare earth mines currently operating outside China and large-scale non-Chinese heavy rare earth (HRE) production remaining negligible at scale, Viridis’ progression into project execution positions Colossus amongst a very small number of emerging producers capable of delivering meaningful quantity of HRE supply as governments and customers increasingly prioritise diversification away from China," says MD Rafael Moreno.