Key Work Streams Advancing For Vanadium-Titanium-Iron Project
Australian resource and mineral processing technology company TNG Limited (ASX: TNG) reports it is making strong progress with the Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) study and the non-process infrastructure (NPI) work being undertaken for its 100%-owned Mount Peake Vanadium-Titanium-Iron Project in Australia’s Northern Territory.
TNG and its strategic engineering and development partner, the German-based metallurgical engineering firm SMS group (SMS), have continued to advance completion of the key work streams within the comprehensive FEED study for the Mount Peake processing plants related to design and engineering.
The Mount Peake Project is based on TNG’s proprietary hydrometallurgical process, the TIVAN Process, which will be implemented and commercialised at an industrial scale for the first time globally at Mount Peake.
SMS is conducting a very detailed FEED study that requires an above-average level of technical and commercial due diligence and verification work before they provide an Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) proposal with binding fixed lump sum pricing and terms.
The FEED work is focused on the key design, engineering and commercial deliverables required to support completion in a timely manner. Supporting FEED work streams that had been deferred due to the COVID-19 crisis have now recommenced as restrictions have been eased in heavily affected locations, mainly in Europe.
The balance of work for front-end loading (FEL) phase 2 (FEL-2) and FEL-3 were restructured during late March 2020 to address the impact of COVID-19, with the aim of optimising the progression of critical deliverables.
Following completion of FEL-3, SMS will provide TNG with a fixed-price EPC proposal for the delivery of the mine site Beneficiation Plant and the Darwin TIVAN Processing Facility, which will include production quantity, production rate and product quality guarantees.
The Darwin Processing Facility remains subject to reaching agreement with the Northern Territory Government for the land site acquisition on acceptable terms, and on environmental approval.
Despite the ongoing global health and economic crisis, TNG and SMS have achieved good progress in all areas of the FEED study, including:
- Total Process Flow Sheet and business case confirmed;
- Heat & Mass Balances finalised;
- Advanced development of engineering and design Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs);
- Advanced development of 3D build concept and digital fly-through for Darwin Process Plant (Figure 2);
- Establishing engineering Major Equipment List;
- Completion of general plant layout;
- Commencement and preparation of engineering and design of Process and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs);
- Development of infrastructure design and plans;
- Development of EPC pricing;
- Communication and engagement terms for selected Australian engineering and construction companies; and
Ongoing confirmatory test work with European laboratories (reopened in June after shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
