Orocobre Limited: Quarterly Report of Operations For The Period Ended 30 June 2013
31 July 2013 - 3:47PM
Marketwired Canada
Orocobre Limited (ASX:ORE)(TSX:ORL) -
HIGHLIGHTS
Salar de Olaroz Lithium-Potash-Boron Project:
-- Construction of the project is proceeding on time and within budget.
-- A total of US$109m has been spent or committed via executed contracts in
the construction project to date.
Salinas Grandes Potash - Lithium Project
-- Pump testing shows that brine volumes can be extracted at a sufficient
rate and concentration to potentially support modest potash and lithium
production.
-- Internal studies are underway to develop a strategy for further project
advancement.
Borax Argentina
-- The Company announced the decision to relocate the borax chemical plant
from its current location in Campo Quijano (close to the city of Salta)
to the Tincalayu mine with project financing by HSBC in Argentina.
-- The relocation of the borax plant to the Tincalyu mine site will have
significant benefits through both the reduction of operating unit costs
and also increasing overall mineral recovery from the mine.
Corporate
-- Cash Position of A$10.8 million at the end of the quarter excluding
Olaroz joint venture funding.
Salar de Olaroz Lithium-Potash Project
The Olaroz Project is Orocobre's flagship project located in Jujuy province of
Argentina. Together with partners, Toyota Tsusho Corporation ("TTC") and Jujuy
Energia y Mineria Sociedad del Estado ("JEMSE"), Orocobre is building the first
large scale "green fields" lithium brine project in approximately 20 years and
will have a design capacity of 17,500tpa of battery grade lithium carbonate. The
project has a construction budget of US$229m comprised of equity contributions
from the partners of US$82.8m which has been completed and with a debt facility
for up to US$192m from Mizuho Corporate Bank for which the processes to allow
drawdown are currently being finalised.
The Olaroz Project joint venture is operated through Argentine subsidiary Sales
de Jujuy S.A. (SDJ SA). The effective Olaroz Project equity interest is Orocobre
66.5%, TTC 25.0% and JEMSE 8.5%.
Construction Update
Construction of the Olaroz lithium project officially began on 21 November,
2012. Progress has been to plan, due in a large part to the preparation and
planning that took place in the preceding year. Sinclair Knight Merz, with the
assistance of INFA, a well-respected Argentine engineering group, completed
detailed engineering for all areas of the operation, including brine extraction,
transport and evaporation, the lithium carbonate plant and key areas of the
re-purification and micronizing circuits.
The construction of the project continues to proceed on time and within budget.
Since the start of official construction significant progress has been made with
the following tasks completed
-- The clearing of tolar over the evaporation pond area (4.2 sq km)
-- Construction and lining of the large evaporation pond to permit first
filling
-- Significant earthworks for construction pads and evaporation ponds.
Earthworks are now over 50% complete
-- Establishment of a long term water supply to be used both for both
domestic and construction purposes
-- Establishment of fuel supply/storage and telecommunications
-- The construction of the access roads on the salar to the bore field area
-- Drilling of 14 by 200m deep brine bores and construction of MV overhead
electrical reticulation
-- Completion of intermediate pond and brine pipeline to evaporation ponds
-- Construction of the first stage camp and offices
-- Construction and installation of the sewage treatment plant
-- Concrete plant installation
-- Groundwork and concrete foundations for liming plant
-- Construction of the lime plant conveyor, silos, tanks and other
facilities
The following tasks are currently in progress
-- Foundations and metal structure fabrication for process plant buildings,
soda ash warehouse, finished product warehouse and maintenance
facilities
-- Raw water pumping station - Electrical control room installation
-- Groundwork and concrete foundations of water treatment plant
-- Waste water treatment plant 2nd stage
-- Mechanical erection of liming plant
-- Drilling of the remaining 6 brine wells
-- Evaporation pond construction
-- Liming plant structure - fabrication
-- Water plant tank construction
-- Gas pipeline construction
-- Definitive camp (supply and erection)
-- Definitive camp infrastructure construction
-- Overflow channel construction
-- Construction of process buildings (main building, soda ash and end
product storage)
-- Liner installation of second evaporation pond
-- Construction of reinforced earth gabions for transfer pumps foundation
-- Construction of overhead power line
-- Construction of warehouse and maintenance workshop building
Approximately $109m of the US$229m capital budget has been committed or spent
and all major contracts awarded to this point remain on, or under, budget.
The project implementation is through EPCM (Engineering, Procurement and
Construction Management) with a high proportion of local involvement through
construction and supply contracts and local employment. The unique community and
shared value policy continues as a key success factor, training local people
under the supervision of high quality experienced professionals.
To view the photos accompanying this press release, please visit the following
link:
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/889459Photos.pdf
For more information on Olaroz please click here:
http://www.orocobre.com.au/Projects_Olaroz.htm
Salinas Grandes Potash-Lithium Project (85%)
Through 85% owned subsidiary South American Salars, Orocobre holds the rights to
properties covering over 120,000 hectares in and around Salinas Grandes, located
approximately 70 kilometres southeast of Orocobre's flagship Olaroz Project, in
the Puna region of the Provinces of Jujuy and Salta, Argentina. The proximity of
Salinas Grandes to the flagship Olaroz Project provides potential operating
synergies, including the option to process concentrated Salinas Grandes lithium
brine at an expanded lithium carbonate plant at Olaroz after recovering potash
resources.
To view Figure 1: The location of the Salinas Grandes and Olaroz projects in
northern Argentina, please visit the following link:
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/889459F1.pdf
Salinas Grandes has an inferred resource, to a depth of 13.3m, estimated to
contain 56.5 million cubic metres of brine at 795 mg/L lithium and 9,550 mg/L
potassium, which is equivalent to 239,200 tonnes of lithium carbonate and 1.03
million tonnes of potash (potassium chloride) based on 5.32 tonnes of lithium
carbonate being equivalent to 1 tonne of lithium and 1.91 tonnes of potash being
equivalent to one tonne of potassium.
Following completion of the resource estimate in 2012 the company has conducted
long-term pump tests on five test production wells and two trenches within the
central area of the salar. The purpose of the test work was:
-- to ascertain whether a sufficiently high pumping rate could be achieved
from the aquifer (being only to 13.3m depth)
-- to investigate changes in permeability over the salar and to determine
whether there are preferred areas for possible future extraction
-- to ascertain whether the brine would maintain a stable grade during
extraction and not be diluted by brackish water beneath the brine body
An extensive array of monitoring wells was established around test production
wells and trenches. These provided information on the drawdown cones of wells
and variations in brine chemistry with time.
Drilling and Geology
Orocobre previously drilled a total of 12 diamond drill holes in the Salinas
Grandes salar to an average depth of 71.4 metres, with certain holes as deep as
180 metres and 47 shallow auger holes to a typical depth of 12m.
The shallow brine body is hosted in a sequence of silt and clay units, with
minor intercalated sand - which generally increase in proportion towards the
north of the salar. Halite extends to a maximum thickness of 0.5 metres below
surface in the center-south of the salar. Drilling established there are higher
permeability zones within the salar, associated with intervals of higher sand
content and as channels within lower permeability silts and clays.
Pump Testing Methodology
To evaluate the potential for long term brine extraction from the Salinas
Grandes salar, pump testing was completed on five purpose-constructed test
production wells. These wells were drilled to between 12.5 and 13.5 m below
surface, using a rotary drilling rig, with the wells reamed to an outside
diameter of 18 inches. Well casing with a diameter of 12 or 8 inches was
installed in the wells, with the length of the casing perforated throughout. A
clean, well sorted 1-2 mm sand pack was installed as a filter around the casing
in the holes. The location of the wells is shown in figure 2.
To view Figure 2: The location of the long term pump test holes (red), relative
to the 2012 resource outline, please visit the following link:
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/889459F2.pdf
A network of monitoring wells was established at distances of 5, 10 and 15
metres from each pump well. Additional monitoring wells were installed around
the higher yielding hole CJB005, 50 and 100 metres from this pump well.
Monitoring was conducted using a Solinst down hole water level dipper and using
data loggers in the pump well and surrounding wells.
Wells were pump tested by installing submersible pumps near the base of the five
wells and monitoring changes in the standing water level in the pump well and
the surrounding monitoring well network over a period of up to 91 days (in
HCJ009HY).
Pump Test Results
Representative hydraulic conductivity (K) values calculated from the long term
pump tests are in the range of 0.3 to 8.9 m/day. These pump test details are
summarized in Table 1. These values are comparable to the range of values from
0.3 to 52 m/day from 12 short term tests undertaken in 2011 from the auger
drilling programme.
To view Table 1: Pump test results from the five long-term pump tests carried
out at Salinas Grandes, please visit the following link:
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/889459T1.pdf
Although pump production declined to less than 1 l/s in two wells the remaining
three wells sustained pump rates of between 1.55 and 2.71 l/s, with continuous
pumping (interrupted for routine refueling of generators and maintenance) over a
period of up to 91 days, before the test program was terminated. This suggested
that wells are capable of supporting long-term brine production, although there
is little available drawdown in most wells, with water levels close to the depth
at which the pumps were installed. For production pumping this would probably
require periods where wells are allowed to recover, with pumping switched to
other wells during the recovery periods.
The highest yielding well (CJB005) is located in the central eastern part of the
salar, with well HCJ028HY approx. 1.5 km to the NW. Well HCJ009HY is located
near the northern boundary of the salar. Overall the pump tests show there is
considerable variation in permeability within the salar.
Brine Chemistry
Lithium and potassium concentrations declined during the initial 15 day period
of the 2012 pump tests prior to stabilizing or showing only minor declines in
concentration. Overall the results suggest that relatively constant brine
concentrations can be produced from a well following this initial period of
decline. The initial decline in concentrations is interpreted to reflect
depletion of particularly concentrated brine from the surficial halite layer and
underlying surficial sand intervals, relative to long-term contributions from
silt, clay and minor sand units deeper within the well.
Trenching Pump Test
Two trenches were constructed in the north west of the salar, in the area
established by auger drilling to host Li values of greater than 800 mg/l. These
were constructed with dimensions of 50 m by 3 m, and 1.5 m deep. The objective
of this test program was to evaluate whether trenches could be used to extract
brine from the shallow aquifer and to solar pre-concentrate the brine prior to
extraction. Samples of brine taken following trench construction showed Li
values exceeding 1700 mg/l. An evaluation of the economics of trench versus pump
well construction will be evaluated as part of the scoping study. The work
completed at Salinas Grandes to date confirms the potential that brine can be
extracted from the shallow resources at commercial rates and with stable grades
that could allow for modest annual production of potassium and lithium to
augment our flagship Olaroz project, now under construction.
To better understand the potential for Salinas Grandes the company has initiated
an internal study which will determine the strategy for advancing the project
further.
For more information on Salinas Grandes please click here:
http://www.orocobre.com.au/Projects_Salinas_Grandes.htm
Borax Argentina
Borax Argentina has extensive operations and has a fifty year production history
producing borax chemicals, boric acid and boron minerals. The production
currently comes from three principal mines at Tincalayu, Sijes and Porvenir with
concentrators at the first two locations and a chemicals plant at Campo Quijano
producing refined products.
There are historical estimates on the mineralisation at these mines and at two
undeveloped deposits. These form the basis for developing plans for the
business.
Operations
Approximately 9,562 tonnes of combined products were sold during the quarter.
This is an increase on the previous quarter and in line with expectations.
Prices achieved continued to be lower than budgeted due to softer market
conditions.
Combined product sales volume by quarter:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quarter Combined Product Sales (tonnes)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 2012 10,007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 2013 9,182
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 2013 9,562
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Borax Plant Relocation
On 1st July, the Company announced a significant advance at its 100% subsidiary
Borax Argentina with the decision to relocate the borax chemical plant from its
current location in Campo Quijano (close to the city of Salta) to the Tincalayu
mine site. The Borax Argentina chemical plant produces borax decahydrate, borax
pentahydrate and anhydrous borax.
The relocation of the borax plant to the Tincalyu mine site will have
significant benefits through both the reduction of operating unit costs and also
increasing overall mineral recovery from the mine. Currently, run-of-mine ore at
17% B2O3 is concentrated at Tincalayu using dry magnetic separation to produce a
21% grade which is then transported the 350 kms from Tincalayu to Campo Quijano
for production of borax chemicals. Recovery through the dry magnetic separation
plant is only approximately 60%. In the future, when the borax plant is at the
Tincalayu mine site, the borax plant will treat run-of-mine ore without the use
of the magnetic separation plant. This will result in:
-- no loss of mineral content prior to the borax plant as there will be no
concentration stage
-- removal of the operating costs of the dry magnetic separation
concentration stage
-- improvement in the freight cost profile by cartage of finished products
with grades between 37% and 49% B2O3 as opposed to a 21% grade
concentrate
The total capital budget of the relocation and plant modifications is AR$30m
(US$5.6m(i)). Of this, the company has received project finance from HSBC for
AR$18m (US$3.4m(i)). Borax Argentina will provide AR$12m (US$2.2m(i)) in the
form of its existing equipment, materials and labour currently employed in the
Borax operations. The loan will be repayable over 4 years and has an interest
rate of 15.25% p.a.
The interest rate applicable to the loan is less than current market rates in
Argentina due to a government directive as documented in the Central Bank
publication "Banco Central de la Republica Argentina Communication "A" 5380"
dated 21/12/2012, which established a scheme to ensure funds are available to be
loaned to local businesses for expansion and improvement projects at reduced
interest rates.
It is worthwhile to note that all customer sales contracts for the Borax
Argentina business are denominated in US$ and that the AR$ has been devaluing
against the US$. Over 2012, the devaluation was 14.1% and over the first six
months of 2012 devaluation has been 9.5% (19% pa).
((i) at the exchange rate current at the date of the announcement)
The completion date for the project is forecast to be before the end of Q2 2014.
Civil works on the Tincalayu site commenced in July. Modifications and repairs
to site buildings and equipment are currently in progress.
The Company considers this project an exciting development which will position
the Borax Argentina business well for the future.
Historical Estimate for JORC Compliant Resource Conversion Programme
During the quarter, work continued on the programmes to convert the Tinaclayu
historical estimates to JORC compliant resources. The work programme has
involved so far:
-- Extensive pit mapping to provide geometrical controls of stratigraphy
and structures which will be correlated later with past flitch plans and
drill logs
-- Geochemical sampling of different horizons to provide controls on past
drilling and bench plans
This part of the programme is almost completed and will allow, in conjunction
with past drilling data, a new three dimensional model of the mineralised
horizon to be constructed. A resampling program will also be undertaken on
stored drill core using internal and external laboratories. It is planned to
have a resource estimate completed in the 4th Quarter 2013 assuming no drilling
is required.
Once the conversion programme is completed at Tinacalyu, work will commence on
the Sijes hydroboracite deposit and salar hosted ulexite deposits at Porvenir
and Diablillos.
For more information on Borax Argentina please click here:
http://www.orocobre.com.au/Projects_Borax.htm
Corporate and Administration
Company Secretary Resignation/Appointment
On 1st July, the Company announced the resignation of Paul Crawford as Company
Secretary and the appointment of Neil Kaplan as Company Secretary. Neil Kaplan
is also Chief Financial Officer.
SAP Implementation
An SAP ERP system has been implemented at Sales De Jujuy SA which marks another
significant milestone for the Olaroz project. The SAP implementation program at
Borax Argentina is in progress.
Cash Position
At the end of the quarter, the company had a cash position of A$10.8 million
excluding funds in Olaroz Lithium Project companies.
The final fund transfer to cover the Jujuy Energia y Minera Sociedad del Estado
(JEMSE) equity component in the Olaroz project occurred in the Apr-Jun 2013
quarter. This is designated as a loan in the cash flow statement and will be
repaid from dividend income.
In the Appendix 5B:
1.10 'Loans to other entities' 2,859 represents the final loan amount to JEMSE
for equity contributions.
1.16 'Proceeds from borrowings,' 3,658 is the Borax Argentina loan for the borax
plant relocation.
4.2 'Payments to other entities,' 1,100 is a scheduled payment due to Rio Tinto
for the purchase of Borax Argentina.
About Orocobre Limited
Orocobre Limited is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and Toronto
Stock Exchange (ASX:ORE)(TSX:ORL), and is building a substantial
Argentinian-based industrial minerals company through the construction and
operation of its portfolio of lithium, potash and boron projects and facilities
in the Puna region of northern Argentina. The Company is building in partnership
with Toyota Tsusho Corporation the first large-scale, de-novo brine based
lithium project in 20 years at its flagship Salar de Olaroz resource, with
projected production of 17,500 tonnes per annum of low-cost battery grade
lithium carbonate scheduled to commence in Q2 2014. The Company also wholly-owns
Borax Argentina, an important regional borate producer. Orocobre has recently
been included in the S&P/ASX 300 Index. For further information, please visit
www.orocobre.com.
Technical Information, Competent Persons' and Qualified Persons Statements
The information in this report that relates to Exploration Results or Mineral
Resources is based on information prepared by, or under the supervision of Mr.
Richard Seville who is a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining &
Metallurgy. Mr. Seville is an executive director of Orocobre Ltd and has
sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type
of deposit under consideration and to the activity which they are undertaking to
qualify as Competent Persons as defined in the 2004 Edition of the 'Australasian
Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves'.
Mr. Seville consents to the inclusion in this announcement of the matters based
on his information in the form and context in which it appears.
Additional information relating to the Company's projects is available in
"Technical Report - Salar de Olaroz Lithium-Potash Project, Argentina" dated May
30, 2011, (the Olaroz Report), the "Technical Report - Salinas Grandes Project"
dated April 30, 2010 and the "Technical Report - Salar de Cauchari Project,
Argentina" dated April 30, 2010, respectively, which have each been prepared by
John Houston, Consulting Hydrogeologist, together with, in the case of the
Olaroz Report, Mike Gunn, Consulting Processing Engineer, in accordance with NI
43-101.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of
applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information contained in this
release includes, but is not limited to, construction at the Olaroz Project and
the timing thereof, the commencement of commercial production at the Olaroz
Project and the timing thereof, the projected production of lithium carbonate at
the Olaroz Project and the expected brine cost and grade at the Olaroz Project.
Such forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially
different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking information,
including but not limited to the risk of further changes in government
regulations, policies or legislation; the possibility that required concessions
may not be obtained, or may be obtained only on terms and conditions that are
materially worse than anticipated; the risk that the conditions precedent to
draw down the project financing with Mizuho Corporate Bank will not be met; that
further funding may be required, but unavailable, for the ongoing development of
the Company's projects; fluctuations or decreases in commodity prices;
uncertainty in the estimation, economic viability, recoverability and processing
of mineral resources; risks associated with weather patterns and impact on
production rate; risks associated with construction and development of the
Olaroz Project; unexpected capital or operating cost increases; uncertainty of
meeting anticipated program milestones at the Olaroz Project; general risks
associated with the feasibility and development of the Olaroz Project; as well
as those factors disclosed in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year
ended June 30, 2012 filed at www sedar.com.
The Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such
forward-looking information are reasonable. Assumptions have been made
regarding, among other things: the timely receipt of required approvals and
completion of agreements on reasonable terms and conditions; the ability of the
Company to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms and
conditions; the prices of lithium and potash; and the ability of the Company to
operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner. Readers are cautioned that
the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may
have been used. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will
prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers
should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does
not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance
with applicable securities laws.
Not For Release in US
This announcement has been prepared for publication in Australia and may not be
released in the U.S. This announcement does not constitute an offer of
securities for sale in any jurisdiction, including the United States, and any
securities described in this announcement may not be offered or sold in the
United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the
United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Any public offering of
securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus
that may be obtained from the issuer and that will contain detailed information
about the company and management, as well as financial statements.
ABN 31 112 589 910
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Orocobre Limited
David Hall
Business Development Manager
M: + 61 407 845 052
dhall@orocobre.com
Orocobre Limited
James Calaway
Chairman
M: + 1 (713) 818 1457
jcalaway@orocobre.com
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