Orbite Technologies Inc (EORBF)

[nagoya1]

Oct 24th news.
http://ih.advfn.com/p.php?pid=nmona&article=59741137

Orbite Provides Update on Status and Development Plan for HPA Facility
Orbite Provides Update on Status and Development Plan for HPA Facility

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Oct 24, 2013) - Orbite Aluminae Inc. (TSX:ORT)(OTCQX:EORBF) ("Orbite" or the "Corporation") today reported on the present status, development plan and updated budget for completing its high-purity alumina (HPA) production plant in Cap-Chat, Quebec.


HPA Facility - Status Update


Orbite's High Purity Alumina plant in Cap-Chat, Quebec, continued intermittent production at a capacity of less than 50 kg per day into the month of August. Operations were suspended in August and September to allow the Corporation to complete, on a permanent basis, the installation of the plant utility systems, notably the steam, process air, and waste water treatment systems. Intermittent operations resumed in October to allow the production of commercial (4N+) samples for shipment to prospective customers and the advancement of our product qualification program.


The Corporation is preparing for the finalization of the facility to the 3 tonne per day (tpd) commercial production level. Engineering and Project Management firms have been selected and are ready to engage pending the necessary capital being raised.


Orbite wishes to note that it has no present concerns related to impurities in its process and does not perceive this to be a major issue going forward. The main issue that led to intermittent and reduced output operations is an equipment issue related to calcination, and not a process related issue. The detailed design of a Circulating Fluid Bed (CFB) calcinator has been completed by a supplier for Orbite. The Corporation is evaluating this design as well as other calcination technologies and expects approximately 7 months for calcinator delivery following finalization of the order. This order is expected to be placed within three months following the raising of the necessary capital.


HPA Facility - Updated Budget


The HPA plant is comprised of two major sections, the alumina extraction unit and the alumina purification unit. The extraction unit allows for the recovery of alumina from raw ores such as clay and is based upon Orbite's initial hydroxide-based process design. The Corporation subsequently developed the chloride-based extraction process which is the technology platform for the production of smelter grade alumina (SGA), the treatment of industrial wastes such as Red Mud and Fly Ash, and the production of other by-products such as hematite, magnesium oxides and silica including rare earth and rare metal oxides. The HPA facility was designed and built with the extraction unit based upon the hydroxide process. Considering the Corporation plans to convert the alumina extraction unit to the chloride based process, it has decided not to invest to fully complete the extraction unit at this time (see HPA Development Plan below). In the interim, the feedstock for the alumina purification unit will be sourced from commercially available products such as smelter-grade alumina, aluminum hydroxide or aluminum from recycled products. All these products are readily available and will not impact operating costs or product quality. Orbite expects it will produce HPA grade product in line with market needs and identical to HPA quality from raw ores.


Accordingly, the projected external capital costs required to complete the construction and commissioning of the HPA Plant, exclusive of the alumina extraction unit, are as follows: