AVZ Minerals Commences Manono Scoping Study

AVZ Minerals (ASX:AVZ) is pleased to announce it has engaged Perth-based independent engineering group CPC Engineering to complete a scoping study for the company’s Manono lithium project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The objective of the scoping study is to prepare initial capital and operating cost estimates based on a typical hard rock spodumene concentrate process flowsheet. As part of the study a high-level review of options to upgrade the spodumene concentrate will be undertaken, with the aim to minimize transportation costs.

As quoted from the press release:

HIGHLIGHTS

• AVZ has engaged Perth-based independent engineering group CPC Engineering to undertake a scoping study of its Manono lithium project.
• Scoping study expected to be completed in August 2018.

The objective of the scoping study is to prepare initial capital and operating cost estimates based on a typical hard rock spodumene concentrate process flowsheet. As part of the study a high-level review of options to upgrade the spodumene concentrate will be undertaken, with the aim to minimize transportation costs. A second high-level review will investigate opportunities to produce a cassiterite (SnO2) concentrate as a secondary product stream. The estimate will capture the process plant, process and non-process infrastructure as detailed below.

The review of the preliminary characterization test-work results has indicated that the Manono project process plant would consist of the following processing stages:

· three stage crushing circuit

· screening circuit (0.5 mm)

· reflux classification for mica removal

· dense media separation · desliming (38 μm)

· grinding and flotation

· concentrate handling

“It is pleasing to advance to the next stage of development at Manono with a well-known engineering group to complete this initial scoping study. Engaging CPC was timed to allow them to be better acquainted with the project through the recently completed metallurgical test work results. These combined with initial infrastructure studies being completed are expected to enable the Scoping Study to be completed to a high level of confidence and will provide greater certainty to shareholders about the opportunity the Manono lithium project offers,”said AVZ’s managing director, Nigel Ferguson.

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