Feasibility Study for Phase II of LIEX 3Q Lithium Carbonate Project.
ZIJIN-LIEX awarded SAXUM through its companies SAXUM Ingenieria S.A. (Argentina) and SAXUM Engineering LLC (USA), for the Feasibility Study (FS) in accordance with the Canadian NI 43-101 standards for the Phase II of its 3Q Lithium Carbonate Project in the province of Catamarca, Argentina. The FS by SAXUM included all applicable process engineering, indicating that the entire flow sheets, as well as mass and energy balances, have been finalized and fixed and are fully specified to support basic engineering and obtaining firm vendor quotes. It also included sufficient multidisciplinary engineering designs to support capital and operating cost estimates with an accuracy of +/- 15%, and in the case of the capital cost estimate, has minimal reliance on factored estimates and primarily relies on takeoffs and unit rates.
For the purpose of the FS SAXUM has performed sufficient trade-off and optimization studies which validate the considered process and engineering designs. The FS Report by SAXUM was issued to LIEX a wholly owned Argentinean subsidiary of ZIJIN Mining Group Ltd, a large multinational mining group that is engaged in the global exploration and development of copper, gold, zinc and lithium, as well as engineering and technological research. Its shares trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the ticker code 2899, and on the Shanghai Stock Exchange under the code 601899.
SAXUM's FS Report included a comprehensive assessment of the geological, technical, operational, and commercial aspects (economic analysis) of Phase II of the 3Q Lithium Carbonate Project, and has considered as a basis the detailed engineering designs, and reports of Phase I of the same project which was also performed by SAXUM. Part of SAXUM's scope of work on this project was the determination of the process, mechanical, geological, and hydrogeological conditions under which Project 3Q should advance to the construction stage.
In addition, SAXUM developed a hydro stratigraphic and dynamic numerical model for the brine resource, and the reserve estimate by King and Zandonai, 2021, was used in this report to support an estimate of bulk in situ brine volume, and brine recoverability contained within the 3Q Salar.
Conceptual Trade off Study for Plant upgrade of Vinidex in Western Australia
Vinidex Pty Limited (hereinafter Vinidex) is at the forefront of innovation and product development in the pipeline industry and, over its 60-year history, has grown to become a leader in Australian pipe systems and solutions. Vinidex manufactures and supplies quality PVC, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), ductile (DICL) and industrial pipe systems to provide premium solutions to individual project needs. They have different locations around Australia and one of them is in the western region, in an industrial zone, next to Fremantle.
For these services, SAXUM was selected to provide technical and consulting services aimed at: (i) reviewing and validating/modifying the proposed conceptual layout, considering also the needed modifications to the traffic flow to enable the plant operations in the reduced surface, and on Sainsbury road (noting construction/business operations), (ii) developing conceptual general arrangement drawings of the new and modified facilities; (iii) assessing the optimal upgrade works methodology to minimize the impact on the plant operations/business, and estimate (in time) the contingency involved; (iv) developing a time line (gant chart) for the project and works required; (v) estimating the upgrade project CapEx (+/- 30%); (vi) coordinating the approval process of the updated designs by the local authorities in Western Australia.
Engineering services for a Greenfield Calcium Carbonate Cement Project for Calucem USA
(Photo: Final Plant General Arrangement)
CALUCEM is a leading, innovative, and global calcium aluminate cement producer. CALUCEM was considering an opportunity to invest in an available 8-acre industrial site in the Venitian Isles in Louisiana, USA. The intention was to install a calcium carbonate cement manufacturing process given the favourable location with access to the Mississippi River, a nearby rail and gas and electricity utilities.
In consequence, CALUCEM awarded SAXUM the Conceptual phase of this greenfield project. The scope of work included the development of general arrangements, flowsheets and equipment lists, which formed the basis for the final +/- 30% CapEx estimate.
For the purpose of the CapEx estimate SAXUM performed conceptual designs, trade-off studies, and material takeoffs, and has considered unit rates for construction works.
Site Engineering Office Management for Galan Lithium Carbonate Project.
Galan Lithium Limited (GALAN) has begun construction of the lithium extraction project in the Salar del Hombre Muerto, in the Province of Catamarca, Argentina.
On this occasion, GALAN selected SAXUM to carry out the Site Engineering Office Management given its track record of almost 30 years in Engineering and Project Management services in the Argentine Northwestern and Puna region, assisting the mining industry, as well as its proven and well-stablished standards and procedures for engineering designs and project management.
To fulfil the technical needs and objectives of this project, SAXUM provided a team of professionals with extensive experience in the coordination and management of engineering resources for mining projects, offering GALAN a tailor-made and effective service for its project, from the very beginning of their involvement.
SAXUM professionals are responsible for the following activities:
- Team Management: management, coordination, and supervision of a team of engineers, designers, and technicians from multiple companies and cultural backgrounds.
- Process Development: develop and improve the processes and methodologies used in the technical office to guarantee efficiency and quality in the project development.
- Communication Coordination: act as a liaison between technical teams and other departments, such as those related to procurement, legal, and construction activities; follow up on the communicating progress strongly oriented to the resolution of the technical needs.
- Resource Management: manage budgets, personnel, materials, and other resources necessary for the development of the project.
- Quality Assurance: collaborate with the quality assurance department, to ensure that engineering, procurement and construction activities are carried out in accordance with the standards and regulations defined for the project.
SAXUM’s team of professionals in this project of GALAN is led by an experienced Project Manager who is responsible for the project planning and coordination of SAXUM’s professionals, as well as for communication with GALAN.
Engineering Services for Sand Grinding Project for Allura USA
Allura, a company of the Elementia Group, is a leader in the USA aggregates market in relation to the manufacture and sale of cement siding products.
For the purpose of its Roaring River Project in North Carolina, USA, Allura awarded SAXUM for developing multidisciplinary basic and detailed engineering designs. SAXUM through its company in the USA, SAXUM Engineering LLC based in Irving, TX, developed mechanical/piping, electrical/instrumentation & control, and structural engineering for this Allura Project.
The project included a sand reception hopper, a second hopper, belt conveyors, a milling system, a hydro-cyclone and a thickener tank, allowing for the material recirculation.
SAXUM's technical support to ALLURA for this project started with the development of different layout alternatives for the installation aimed at optimizing the available space. After defining the plant layout, the mechanical, structural, electrical, and automation engineering of the complete installation was carried out at basic and detailed design levels, sequentially. SAXUM also performed the dimensioning and technical specifications for all secondary equipment as well as the bill of materials. All engineering designs by SAXUM were integrated into a full 3D model.
For this project, SAXUM has assigned an experienced team of engineers and designers. SAXUM’s responsibility in this Allura project includes the PE stamping and sign-off by licensed professionals in the state of North Carolina.
SAXUM present at the WA Mining Conference in Perth, Australia
SAXUM was present at the WA Mining Conference & Exhibition held in Perth, Australia on October 11-12.
The largely expanded exhibition showcased the technical and digital innovation across the entire mining value chain, while the highly targeted conference illustrated the economic importance of Western Australia and its contribution to the resource technology sector, its innovation capability, its job creation, and the attraction of capital to the state.
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