Australia’s next rare earths producer, Hastings Technology Metals (ASX: HAS) has re-activated the design and construct contract of the acid-bake rotary kiln previously awarded to FLSmidth, a global Tier 1 manufacturer of engineering and mining equipment. This package marks a major milestone in the commitment to build and operate the Yangibana Rare Earth project’s downstream hydrometallurgical processing facility at Onslow.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- FLSmidth a Danish Tier 1 international processing equipment manufacturer, was awarded the Engineering and Supply package for the Acid-Bake Rotary Kiln
- The $17.4m Acid-Bake Kiln to be constructed at Onslow is the most significant piece of equipment for the Yangibana project and represents the longest lead item in the construction schedule
- The supply of the kiln supports the current construction schedule and plant commissioning date in 2H 2024
- Kiln design is well advanced with shell fabrication about to commence
- The kiln is 75m long and 4m in diameter and is utilised in the downstream processing of rare earths at Onslow
- The $20m early infrastructure works package continues to gather pace with the clearing of the 300-man village area initiated
Detailed Kiln design is substantially complete allowing fabrication of the Kiln shells to commence immediately.
On the back of the recent NAIF debt funding announcement (refer ASX Announcement dated 2nd February 2022 NAIF Approves $140m Loan for Yangibana Rare Earths Project) the re-commencement of this significant package supports the belief and commitment that the Hastings board and project team have in progressing the Yangibana Project.
Hastings’ chief operating officer Andrew Reid said, “The Acid-Baked Rotary Kiln is an internationally sourced long lead-time item required for the hydrometallurgical plant at Onslow. Hastings has chosen a trusted, industry-leading supplier for the Kiln, and the fabrication of this important piece of equipment ensures that the Yangibana construction can continue to gather pace as we target a 2H 2024 commissioning date.”
