Chilean Operational Plan
Laguna Verde - Year 1
- Sampling and volumetric calculations of contained light metals in surface lake waters (completed)
- Inferred resource estimate (completed April 2010)
- Filed backup technical reports that support the inferred resources estimate (completed June 2010)
- Tenders for brine chemistry process design, scoping study (July 2010)
- Select and engage consulting / engineering firm for scoping study (August 2010)
- Commence scoping study (3-4 months anticipated)
- Update resource calculation through scoping study and additional analysis to indicated or measured resource category
- Select and engage consulting / engineering firm for pre-feasibility study
Laguna Verde - Year 2
- Complete pre-feasibility study
- Tenders for feasibility study for surface water exploitation facilities - target 10,000 tpy of LiCO3
- Design/engineering of facilities to recover light metals from surface waters
- Commence permitting of facilities for production from surface lake(1)
- Begin exploration program for deeper brines
Laguna Verde - Years 3 & 4
- Complete construction of and commercial production at surface water facility
- Complete scoping and pre-feasibility studies for deeper brines
- Begin feasibility and conceptual engineering based on the deeper resource base
- Commence permitting and construction process for full scale deep brine operation
- Design, construct, and commission deep brine recovery plant
- Commence operations from deeper brines
Laguna Brava and Rio de la Sal
- Exploration programs planned followed by a similar strategy as above
(1) Subject to completion of satisfactory feasibility study and contingent on adequate financing |
