Orbite Updates Construction of HPA Facility
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Jan 29, 2014) - Orbite Aluminae Inc. (TSX:ORT)(OTCQX:EORBF) ("Orbite" or the "Corporation"), announced today its first update on the construction and optimization activities of its high purity alumina ("HPA") production facility located in Cap-Chat, Québec.
As disclosed in previous press releases, Orbite still anticipates a 12-month execution timeline following the recent raising of the necessary capital (see December 10, 2013 press release), comprised of the following general phases:
Design review of the HPA facility, expected to be completed by April 2014 (3 months);
Ordering and delivery of long lead items, including the calcination equipment, and detailed engineering for the upcoming construction (6-7 months);
Installation / construction and start-up period (2-3 months).
Orbite has selected engineering firms Seneca, previously involved in the design, construction, and operation of Orbite's pilot facility and familiar with its production technology, together with Groupe Alphard, responsible for construction management of the HPA facility.
To date, and according to plan, Orbite has initiated:
the design review of the HPA facility, based upon performance to date;
design optimization of different sections of the purification unit based upon pilot testing at Orbite's technology development center in Laval;
pilot testing of decomposition and calcination by two prospective suppliers of this equipment. The selection of the supplier and placement of the order will be confirmed by March 2014;
the detailed design of sections of the purification unit;
the evaluation of requirements to increase production capacity from 3 tpd to 5 tpd (Phase 2a). Incremental capital costs and schedule are expected to be reported in the second half of 2014.
Orbite also plans to commence the preliminary engineering for the conversion of the extraction plant to the chloride technology in the third quarter of 2014 (Phase 2b). Conversion to Orbite's chloride technology along with the addition of a scandium and gallium extraction unit is expected to be completed in 2015. The chloride-based extraction process 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.
