New Plant Site to Improve Project Permitting&Econ

European Metals Holdings Limited

25 April 2024

 

For immediate release

25 April 2024

NEW LITHIUM PLANT SITE EXPECTED TO IMPROVE PROJECT ECONOMICS

Highlights

·      The Prunéřov site has been selected for the lithium processing plant with the move expected to speed up the permitting process and expedite the Cinovec Project.

·      The Prunéřov site is anticipated to also enable positive outcomes for project economics including reductions in capex and opex per tonne as a result of optimalization of the engineering identified as part of the Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") process, and reduced demolition and clearance requirements.

·      The new site has received preliminary agreement and support from the municipal and regional governments.

·      Geomet will now proceed to finalise the DFS process taking into account the new site, including the revised capex from the new site.

European Metals Holdings Limited (ASX & AIM: EMH) ("European Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the selection of a new site for the Cinovec Lithium Processing Plant which is anticipated to provide improved permitting and project economics.

The new site selection follows evaluation and preliminary agreement between project company Geomet and the relevant municipal and regional governments to move the lithium processing plant from Dukla to the Prunéřov industrial site.

Prunéřov is the site of the former Prunéřov 1 Power Station, which was decommissioned in 2020 and Prunéřov 2 Power Station. The site is owned and operated by CEZ, the Company's project level partner.

The site, currently zoned for industrial use, is considerably larger in size than the Dukla site and should enable the processing plant to be laid out in a more effective (and anticipated less costly) manner, enabling better and faster constructability.

The ore from the underground mining operation at Cinovec will be carried by conveyor to Dukla where it will be loaded onto trains for transport to Prunéřov, a distance of approximately 59 km using existing rail facilities, the capacity of which has been confirmed.

During the DFS process, it became apparent that after considerable consultation with local stakeholders and the municipal and regional governments the Dukla site possessed limited capacity and also limited support from the surrounding municipalities.

The Prunéřov industrial site is located alongside the 750MW Prunéřov 2 Coal fired power plant and is situated further away from inhabited areas.

Keith Coughlan, Executive Chairman, commented: "While providing a good outcome for the surrounding communities, the decision to move the lithium processing plant from the Dukla to the Prunéřov site is expected to have a positive outcome on the capex and opex per tonne of the project due to the possibility of quicker permitting process and more effective layout of the processing plant.

As would be expected in such circumstances, we were unable to provide information on this matter whilst a revised project configuration was being formulated, due to social and environmental impact sensitivities and had to defer the DFS until the details of the new site were agreed (refer to Announcements dated: 27 March 2024 & 22 December 2023). We will now be instructing DRA Global and the DFS team to amend the DFS to take this into account before we can provide DFS numbers.

We understand that a deferral to a DFS is usually considered a negative matter, but in this case, we consider it to be for a positive result, particularly as the Prunéřov site is currently home to the Prunéřov Power Plant, and the permitting can now be advanced in a more timely manner with the cooperation of the local, regional and federal governments.

What has been clear in this process is the importance placed on this project by the community and Czech Government at all levels. In the European Union's Critical Raw Materials Act ("CRMA") environment, the coming together of both the Cinovec project joint venture partners and the Czech Government in the decision-making process with regards of the selection of the Prunéřov site provide a very strong foundation for our upcoming application for Strategic Project status under the CRMA."

Ladislav Štěpánek, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Geomet, stated: "Prunéřov is a suitable place for our project. It is an industrial location at a greater distance from populated areas where a lignite power plant is already operating. Building a processing plant in Prunéřov fulfils our philosophy of coal transformation, as it would provide enough jobs for the employees of the gradually closing coal mines and power plants located in the vicinity. Only an ore loading facility will be built at the original site at Dukla, from where we will transport the ore by rail to Prunéřov. I am glad that we have found an agreement with the municipalities and the region and can continue with the project at Prunéřov."

Jan Losenický, Mayor of Kadaň, added: "We welcome the plan of ČEZ and Geomet to build a lithium plant in Prunéřov. People from our town who currently work in coal-fired power plants or mines, but which will be gradually downsized and closed, could find employment in the processing plant. The investor has promised to invest in the training and retraining of current employees so that they can be employed in the new sophisticated plant. We are glad that ČEZ will not leave the region with the end of coal but will remain one of the largest investors and employers in the region, also thanks to the lithium park project.

This announcement has been approved for release by the Board.

CONTACT

For further information on this update or the Company generally, please visit our website at www.europeanmet.com or see full contact details at the end of this release.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON CINOVEC

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Cinovec Lithium Project

Geomet s.r.o. controls the mineral exploration licenses awarded by the Czech State over the Cinovec Lithium Project. Geomet has been granted a preliminary mining permit by the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Industry. The company is owned 49% by EMH and 51% by CEZ a.s. through its wholly owned subsidiary, SDAS. Cinovec hosts a globally significant hard rock lithium deposit with a total Measured Mineral Resource of 53.3Mt at 0.48% Li₂O, Indicated Mineral Resource of 360.2Mt at 0.44% Li₂O and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 294.7Mt at 0.39% Li₂O containing a combined 7.39 million tonnes Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (refer to the Company's ASX/AIM release dated 13 October 2021) (Resource Upgrade at Cinovec Lithium Project).

An initial Probable Ore Reserve of 34.5Mt at 0.65% Li₂O reported 4 July 2017 (Cinovec Maiden Ore Reserve - Further Information) has been declared to cover the first 20 years mining at an output of 22,500tpa of lithium carbonate (refer to the Company's ASX/AIM release dated 11 July 2018) (Cinovec Production Modelled to Increase to 22,500tpa of Lithium Carbonate).

This makes Cinovec the largest hard rock lithium deposit in Europe and the fifth largest non-brine deposit in the world.

The deposit has previously had over 400,000 tonnes of ore mined as a trial sub-level open stope underground mining operation.

On 19 January 2022, EMH provided an update to the 2019 PFS Update. It confirmed the deposit is amenable to bulk underground mining (refer to the Company's ASX/AIM release dated 19 January 2022) (PFS Update delivers outstanding results). Metallurgical test-work has produced both battery-grade lithium hydroxide and battery-grade lithium carbonate at excellent recoveries. In February 2023 DRA Global Limited ("DRA") was appointed to complete the Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS").

Cinovec is centrally located for European end-users and is well serviced by infrastructure, with a sealed road adjacent to the deposit, rail lines located 5 km north and 8 km south of the deposit, and an active 22 kV transmission line running to the historic mine. The deposit lies in an active mining region.

The economic viability of Cinovec has been enhanced by the recent push for supply security of critical raw materials for battery production, including the strong increase in demand for lithium globally, and within Europe specifically, as demonstrated by the European Union's Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA).

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON CEZ

Headquartered in the Czech Republic, CEZ a.s. is one of the largest companies in the Czech Republic and a leading energy group operating in Western and Central Europe. CEZ's core business is the generation, distribution, trade in, and sales of electricity and heat, trade in and sales of natural gas, and coal extraction. The foundation of power generation at CEZ Group are emission-free sources.  The CEZ strategy named Clean Energy for Tomorrow is based on ambitious decarbonisation, development of renewable sources and nuclear energy. CEZ announced that it would move forward its climate neutrality commitment by ten years to 2040.

The largest shareholder of its parent company, CEZ a.s., is the Czech Republic with a stake of approximately 70%. The shares of CEZ a.s. are traded on the Prague and Warsaw stock exchanges and included in the PX and WIG-CEE exchange indices. CEZ's market capitalization is approximately EUR 20.3 billion.

As one of the leading Central European power companies, CEZ intends to develop several projects in areas of energy storage and battery manufacturing in the Czech Republic and in Central Europe.

CEZ is also a market leader for E-mobility in the region and has installed and operates a network of EV charging stations throughout Czech Republic. The automotive industry in the Czech Republic is a significant contributor to GDP, and the number of EV's in the country is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.

COMPETENT PERSONS

Information in this release that relates to the FECAB metallurgical testwork is based on, and fairly reflects,  technical data and supporting documentation compiled or supervised by Mr Walter Mädel, a full-time employee of Geomet s.r.o an associate of the Company. Mr Mädel is a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AUSIMM) and a mineral processing professional with over 27 years of experience in metallurgical process and project development, process design, project implementation and operations. Of his experience, at least 5 years have been specifically focused on hard rock pegmatite Lithium processing development. Mr Mädel consents to the inclusion in the announcement of the matters based on this information in the form and context in which it appears.  Mr Mädel is a participant in the long-term incentive plan of the Company.

Information in this release that relates to exploration results is based on, and fairly reflects, information and supporting documentation compiled by Dr Vojtech Sesulka. Dr Sesulka is a Certified Professional Geologist (certified by the European Federation of Geologists), a member of the Czech Association of Economic Geologist, and a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code 2012 edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Dr Sesulka has provided his prior written consent to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears. Dr Sesulka is an independent consultant with more than 10 years working for the EMH or Geomet companies. Dr Sesulka does not own any shares in the Company and is not a participant in any short- or long-term incentive plans of the Company.

Information in this release that relates to metallurgical test work and the process design criteria and flow sheets in relation to the LCP is based on, and fairly reflects, information and supporting documentation compiled by Mr Grant Harman (B.Sc Chem Eng, B.Com). Mr Harman is an independent consultant and the principal of Lithium Consultants Australasia Pty Ltd with in excess of 14 years of lithium chemicals experience. Mr Harman has provided his prior written consent to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on his information in the form and context that the information appears. Mr Harman is a participant in the long-term incentive plan of the Company.

The information in this release that relates to Mineral Resources and Exploration Targets is based on, and fairly reflects, information and supporting documentation prepared by Mr Lynn Widenbar. Mr Widenbar, who is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Member of the Australasian Institute of Geoscientists, is a full-time employee of Widenbar and Associates and produced the estimate based on data and geological information supplied by European Metals. Mr Widenbar has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity that he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Minerals Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr Widenbar has provided his prior written consent to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on his information in the form and context that the information appears. Mr Widenbar does not own any shares in the Company and is not a participant in any short- or long-term incentive plans of the Company.

The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original market announcement and, in the case of estimates of Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves, that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the relevant market announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Person's findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcement.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Information included in this release constitutes forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward looking words such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "anticipate", "continue", and "guidance", or other similar words and may include, without limitation, statements regarding plans, strategies and objectives of management, anticipated production or construction commencement dates and expected costs or production outputs.

Forward looking statements inherently involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the company's actual results, performance, and achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance, or achievements. Relevant factors may include, but are not limited to, changes in commodity prices, foreign exchange fluctuations and general economic conditions, increased costs and demand for production inputs, the speculative nature of exploration and project development, including the risks of obtaining necessary licences and permits and diminishing quantities or grades of reserves, political and social risks, changes to the regulatory framework within which the company operates or may in the future operate, environmental conditions including extreme weather conditions, recruitment and retention of personnel, industrial relations issues and litigation.

Forward looking statements are based on the company and its management's good faith assumptions relating to the financial, market, regulatory and other relevant environments that will exist and affect the company's business and operations in the future. The company does not give any assurance that the assumptions on which forward looking statements are based will prove to be correct, or that the company's business or operations will not be affected in any material manner by these or other factors not foreseen or foreseeable by the company or management or beyond the company's control.

Although the company attempts and has attempted to identify factors that would cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those disclosed in forward looking statements, there may be other factors that could cause actual results, performance, achievements or events not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and many events are beyond the reasonable control of the company. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements. Forward looking statements in these materials speak only at the date of issue. Subject to any continuing obligations under applicable law or any relevant stock exchange listing rules, in providing this information the company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any of the forward looking statements or to advise of any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

LITHIUM CLASSIFICATION AND CONVERSION FACTORS

Lithium grades are normally presented in percentages or parts per million (ppm). Grades of deposits are also expressed as lithium compounds in percentages, for example as a percent lithium oxide (Li₂O) content or percent lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃) content.

Lithium carbonate equivalent ("LCE") is the industry standard terminology for, and is equivalent to, Li₂CO₃. Use of LCE is to provide data comparable with industry reports and is the total equivalent amount of lithium carbonate, assuming the lithium content in the deposit is converted to lithium carbonate, using the conversion rates in the table included below to get an equivalent Li₂CO₃ value in percent. Use of LCE assumes 100% recovery and no process losses in the extraction of Li₂CO₃ from the deposit.

Lithium resources and reserves are usually presented in tonnes of LCE or Li.

The standard conversion factors are set out in the table below:

Table: Conversion Factors for Lithium Compounds and Minerals

Convert from		Convert to Li	Convert to Li2O	Convert to Li2CO3	Convert to LiOH.H2O
Lithium	Li	1.000	2.153	5.325	6.048
Lithium Oxide	Li2O	0.464	1.000	2.473	2.809
Lithium Carbonate	Li2CO3	0.188	0.404	1.000	1.136
Lithium Hydroxide	LiOH.H2O	0.165	0.356	0.880	1.000
Lithium Fluoride	LiF	0.268	0.576	1.424	1.618

WEBSITE

A copy of this announcement is available from the Company's website at www.europeanmet.com/announcements/.

ENQUIRIES:

European Metals Holdings Limited Keith Coughlan, Executive Chairman Kiran Morzaria, Non-Executive Director Henko Vos, Company Secretary	Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Tel: [phone] Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail]
WH Ireland Ltd (Nomad & Broker) James Joyce / Darshan Patel / Isaac Hooper (Corporate Finance) Harry Ansell (Broking)	Tel: [phone]
Blytheweigh (Financial PR) Tim Blythe Megan Ray Chapter 1 Advisors (Financial PR - Aus) David Tasker	Tel: [phone]  Tel: [phone]

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 ("MAR") as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of MAR.

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[1] Refer to Announcements dated: 27 March 2024 & 22 December 2023

 

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