PEA - Orbite Aluminae Inc.

- Optimization study for selecting the exact location of the plant by the mine site as
well as the storage facility, loading and unloading facility and port selection,
should also be completed during the Feasibility study stage.
26.3 Future Works
As part of future activities leading to the construction of the commercial alumina plant,
there are some clearly identified project milestones that must be reached. Orbite is
already working with local and international partners and technology suppliers to
complete the basic engineering, which includes the process design basis of the plant
sub-sections. This is the main objective of the Feasibility Study which will allow
establishing CAPEX at +/- 15% and OPEX within 10%.
Another significant milestone to accomplish is to refine the individual REE extraction
techniques through piloting in identified location throughout the world in view of
establishing final basic engineering and process parameters on that specific subject.
Setting aside issues that deal primarily with any outstanding issues of a chemical
nature, the chemical engineering design of the process and especially integration of
all sub systems will be the element taking precedence in these next stages of work.
The selection of materials of construction does not represent an important milestone
in the design phase since Orbite is already dealing with knowledgeable leaders in this
domain and that specifications dealing with high temperatures in hydrochloric acid
conditions have been known (corrosion factors, valves materials, protective surface
coatings etc.) for decades. The expertise from equipment manufacturers familiar with
chloride-based chemical operations and processing plants will be sought. In Europe,
there exists a level of operational and fabricating expertise that will be tremendously
helpful in the design process. Leach reactor design (glass lined with special anti-wear
coating identified) must be initiated and long lead-time items must be identified.
During the Feasibility stage and coupled with these activities will be the development
of an Environmental Management Plan, along with the development and execution of
a plan for completing all requirements for permitting the plant construction and
operation. GENIVAR has already listed the list of permits that are required. The
Environmental Management Plan will cover such segments as procedures for
managing and containing spills, training of plant personnel, an occupational Health &
Safety program, chemical handling procedures, fire protection, start-up procedures,
emergency shutdown procedures, among a list of many other items. Orbite will start
instructing its personnel during 2012 and early 2013. Additional work is also required
to better characterize plant emissions and the means of protecting both plant
personnel and the environment. A basic design for ventilation and capture of dusts,
aerosols containing HCl, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) must also be
elaborated. GENIVAR, within the Feasibility Study is expected to provide the details
Orbite Aluminae Inc.
ROCHE/GENIVAR
061364.002/111-20434-00 May 2012
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