ASX/TSX-V: JRV
OTC: JRVMF/FRA: IHS
HIGHLIGHTS
- Following a tender process from internationally recognized
engineering groups for a scoping study on a cobalt refinery (the
"Study") at its 100%-owned Idaho Cobalt Operations ("ICO"), Jervois
has appointed Wood as preferred contractor.
- The Study will review commercially demonstrated technology
for the processing of sulphide concentrate through to the
production of 99.8% LMB grade refined cobalt metal.
- Battery recycling technology and processing of third-party
feed will be considered within the Study with a focus on enhancing
the strategic importance of the facility to the United States.
- Metallurgical testwork at SGS Canada ("SGS") will underpin
the optimized concentrate chemical characteristics prior to
finalizing the preferred flowsheet and technology.
- Refining ICO concentrate through to cobalt metal is a
medium-term development option for Jervois to ensure the United States maintains access to a
strategic metal identified as a critical mineral. Initial mine
production in 2H 2021 will be in concentrate form. This Study is to
accelerate refining concentrate within the State of Idaho, with Blackfoot, Idaho previously selected as the
preferred refinery location.
- A refinery in Idaho will
create manufacturing jobs, establish refining technology, knowledge
and expertise within the local community and, importantly, attract
supporting industries, generating significant prosperity for the
State of Idaho. The refinery Study
is forecast to be completed by the end of Q1 2020.
MELBOURNE, Oct. 15, 2019 /CNW/ - Jervois Mining Limited's
("Jervois" or "the Company") (ASX:JRV) (TSX-V: JRV) (OTC: JRVMF)
(FRA: IHS) is pleased to announce it has selected Wood as the
preferred engineering contractor to progress the Idaho Cobalt
Operations ("ICO") refinery scoping study. The ICO will be the only
domestic cobalt mine within the United
States when it commences commercial concentrate production
as forecast in 2H 2021.
Wood are an internationally recognized engineering contractor
with a significant and longstanding presence in the United States. In particular, Wood has
expertise in the refining of sulphide concentrates through to both
battery grade crystal and refined LME copper and 99.8% LMB cobalt
metal. Wood is well placed to lead the engineering study which
includes an initial high-level review of commercially available
technology for the refining of sulphide concentrates through to
metal.
Battery recycling technology and third-party feed processing
will also be considered to highlight future market opportunities
that may enhance the refineries strategic importance within
the United States and further
improve the economic returns.
Mineralogy and metallurgical testwork progressing at SGS will
optimize the selective cobalt concentrate chemical characteristics
and applied in the flowsheet options study. As part of the current
feasibility study being led by DRA and M3, preliminary results
obtained from the SGS testwork have achieved satisfactory
separation and selectivity between copper and cobalt. Locked cycle
tests are planned to define the improved selectivity.
Cobalt has been identified by both the
United States and Australia
to be of strategic importance in relation to the countries' mutual
national security, due to current reliance on foreign suppliers.
Jervois believes the potential of establishing a cobalt refinery
within United States borders will
guarantee access to a critical mineral across scenarios whereby
current supply chain may become stressed.
To be competitive refineries require low energy costs, access to
skilled labour and existing infrastructure. Blackfoot, Idaho was identified as a preferred
location for the refinery and Jervois has purchased land adjacent
to major road and rail infrastructure. With access to competitive
energy costs, a gas pipeline network and availability of skilled
labour, Idaho Falls is an
attractive location for a modern cobalt refinery.
The Study will be completed during Q1 2020 in conjunction with
the previously announced feasibility study to concentrate.
About Wood
Wood serves many of the world leaders in the mining industry,
having provided a full range of services for mining projects in
over 100 countries. Wood are pioneers in pressure hydrometallurgy
technology with experience on more than 30 pressure hydrometallurgy
projects involving base metals, precious metals and other
industrial minerals.
Wood's recent cobalt experience includes over thirty projects
from scoping level studies to operational support including cobalt
refining projects. Wood has executed numerous base metals refinery
studies including production of cobalt cathode and recovery of
products from recycled batteries.
Wood is recognized by the mining industry and the
international finance community for the production of NI 43-101
Technical Reports and Wood has served as Qualified Person on
relevant cobalt studies.
For more information visit: www.woodplc.com
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture
Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of
this release.
Forward Looking Statements
This news release may
contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of
the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news
release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect",
"target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and other similar
words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or
information. These forward-looking statements or information may
relate to available technologies, testwork for mineralogy and
metallurgy related to the ICO, the costs and availability of power,
skilled labour and infrastructure, reliability of third party
information, and certain other factors or information. Such
statements represent the Company's current views with respect to
future events and are necessarily based upon a number of
assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the
Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic,
competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and
uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause
results, performance or achievements to be materially different
from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The
Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to
update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect
changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other
events affections such statements and information other than as
required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.
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content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jervois-appoints-wood-as-ico-refinery-scoping-study-engineer-300938445.html
SOURCE Jervois Mining Limited
