EMP Metals (EMPS.CN)on Wednesdays said it completed its Project Aurora Demonstration Plant and can begin demonstration lithium-extraction operations in the third quarter.
The Aurora facility, within EMP's Viewfield project in Saskatchewan, is connected to both the production well and waste brine disposal well, allowing continuous wellhead brine delivery to the facility process while returning spent brine to the targeted disposal interval, the lithium exploration company said.
"The demonstration program represents a key step toward commercializing EMP's lithium brine resource in Saskatchewan. Operational data generated throughout the demonstration campaign will support engineering design, process optimization, and economic evaluation for a future modular commercial facility capable of producing more than 3,000 tonnes per year of lithium products," the company said.
"Completing construction of Project Aurora marks a major milestone for EMP as we transition from building the facility to operating it," said Chief Executive Karl Kottmeier."Having the demonstration plant fully connected directly to both the production well and disposal well allows us to commission the facility under true field operating conditions. Fresh production brine is now flowing through the process as we continue integrating each system, and with commissioning approximately halfway complete, we remain on schedule for Q3 start-up."
EMP Metals were last seen up C$0.035 to C$0.52 on the Canadian Securities Exchange.
Price: $0.52, Change: $+0.04, Percent Change: +7.22%