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The Australian mining company Neometals and the German process equipment manufacturer SMS Group has agreed to incorporate the joint venture they have been evaluating since the Autumn of 2019. The joint venture will be branded Primobius and will initially be located in Germany and Austria.The activities in Primobius are however still a evaluation in itself on which a final investment decision to go to a full 20K tonnes per year or even a 200K tonnes per year plant.
According to Neometals they already have shredding equipment allowing them to pre-process 20,000 tonnes of waste batteries or battery scrap per year.
Next steps for Primobius will be:
-Complete anAACE Class 4 Engineering Cost Study based on processing 20ktpa battery feed
-Complete the procurement activities and commence construction of the Demonstration Plant, with commissioning targeted in early 2021
-Following completion of the Demonstration trial, commence an AACE Class 3 Feasibility Study (based on both 20ktpa and 200ktpa of battery feed)
-Secure commercial arrangements with respect to battery feedstock, product off take, key reagents and project financing customer trials / product offtake and for future commercial preparations.
