European Metals Holdings: Simplified Extraction Process Delivers Exceptionally Clean Battery-Grade Lithium Product with Improved Economics

HIGHLIGHTS

-          Simplified Lithium Chemical Plant (“LCP”) extraction process has delivered exceptionally clean battery-grade lithium carbonate

-          Significant reduction in most impurities far exceeds current market accepted battery-grade specifications and steps required in the LCP process reduced from 15 to 7

-          LCP has capability to deliver very high purity lithium hydroxide, lithium carbonate, lithium sulphate or lithium phosphate

-          Simplified process is expected to reduce both Capex and Opex in the LCP by 10-20%.

-          LCP recoveries of 88-93% lithium proven in locked-cycle testwork, an outright recovery improvement of 3-6% over locked-cycle testwork for earlier more complex flowsheet

-          Patent application lodged to protect global intellectual property rights

-          Test work proves re-engineered Front-End Comminution and Beneficiation (“FECAB”) circuit recovers >87% of lithium

-          LCP pilot programme to commence in 4Q CY22 with marketing samples available to offtake partners in 1Q CY23; pregnant leach solution containing 48kg of lithium carbonate equivalent is ready to be processed

-          New flowsheet provides ESG Benefits - lower reagent use and reduced cooling requirements

European Metals Holdings Limited (ASX & AIM: EMH, OTCQX: EMHXY, ERPNF and EMHLF) (“European Metals” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce significant developments in the processing flowsheet for the Cinovec vertically integrated battery metals project (“Cinovec”) in Czech Republic.

Keith Coughlan, Executive Chairman, said “The completion of flowsheet development work in both the FECAB and LCP is a significant milestone for the Cinovec Project. The simplification of the process, the improved economics, and the addition of two new significant potential end products are all very pleasing results. This simplification, in reducing the complexity and in reducing the steps required in the LCP process from 15 to 7, eliminates some potential process flowsheet risks. Testwork to confirm optimised FECAB and LCP flowsheets is now complete and production of significant quantities of battery grade lithium chemicals is expected to be available for distribution to long term European offtake partners early next year.

“The quality of the product is also excellent with almost battery grade material produced as our crude material. In addition, the reduction in both reagent use and energy consumption add to already excellent ESG credentials.

“Now that the simplified flow sheet has been released to the market, the Company looks forward to being able to provide more frequent updates regarding progress towards completion of the Definitive Feasibility Study (“DFS”) based on the new flowsheet as well as progress on the offtake discussions in which the Company has been engaged.”.

Simplification of the LCP flowsheet

The simplified LCP flowsheet has been tested in six (6) Locked-Cycle Tests (“LCTs”) at ALS Global in Perth. This simplified new flowsheet has demonstrated overall lithium recoveries of 88-93% in the LCTs programme.

In the programme of six LCTs for the earlier flowsheet, recoveries of 85-87% lithium were demonstrated. The new flowsheet therefore represents an outright lithium recovery improvement of 3-6%.

After roasting and leaching, the pregnant leach solution (PLS) is passed through two cleaning steps to remove transition metal and calcium impurities, resulting in a “polished” PLS of lithium sulphate together with sulphates of other similar metals, principally sodium and potassium.

The earlier flowsheet continued to remove unwanted elements before precipitation of a “crude” lithium carbonate. The last step in the earlier flowsheet was to purify the crude lithium carbonate with a bicarbonation and crystallisation step.

The simplified flowsheet precipitates lithium phosphate directly from the polished PLS and then goes on to clean the lithium phosphate to enable precipitation of a much cleaner crude lithium carbonate. The final purification step of bicarbonation and re-precipitation is the same as in the earlier flowsheet but the end-product is of even higher quality due to the input crude lithium carbonate being much cleaner.

The simplification of the central section of the LCP flowsheet reduces the number of basic chemical engineering unit processes (after the initial roast/water leach) from 15 to 7. The revised process also results in the elimination of all energy-intensive cooling processes.

European Metals has been advised by its principal hydrometallurgical adviser, Lithium Consultants Australasia (LCA), that the changes to the LCP noted above are expected to reduce both Capex and Opex in the LCP by 10-20%. The basis for this range of estimates is an expert assessment and adjustment by LCA of the equivalent Capex and Opex prepared by Hatch Associates Pty Ltd for the PFS for the production of lithium hydroxide published by EMH in 2019 (refer to the Company’s ASX release dated 17 June 2019) (PFS UPDATE CONFIRMS POTENTIAL OF LOW-COST LITHIUM HYDROXIDE PRODUCTION). The Capex reduction is based upon the fact that the simplified flowsheet requires the use of only two crystallisers vs the four crystallisers and 1 evaporator in the original flowsheet. The similar reduction on Opex in achieved through reduced power use resulting from not having to operate the additional equipment. In the 2022 PFS Update, the LCP represented 49.8% of the Capex of the Cinovec Project and Opex/tonne for the full process to produce lithium hydroxide monohydrate (ignoring by-product credits) was US$6,727.

ESG Benefits from lower reagent use and reduced cooling requirements

Opex and reagent use will be confirmed in the ongoing DFS process; however, EMH’s adviser LCA has confirmed lower reagent use and the elimination of all process cooling steps change the environmental footprint of the project positively, reducing the chemicals and energy required in the LCP process. These changes are also expected to further improve the life cycle assessment characteristics of the Cinovec Project reported upon by Minviro (refer to the Company’s ASX release dated 23 November 2021) (LCA QUANTIFIES CINOVEC LITHIUM CHEMICAL PRODUCTION CO2 EMISSIONS AND MITIGATION SCENARIOS IDENTIFIED TO PRODUCE LOW CARBON PRODUCTS) and an update on this life cycle assessment is expected to be reported upon in due course.

You can access the complete English press release here: https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02590963-6A1119252?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON CINOVEC

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Cinovec Lithium/Tin Project

Geomet s.r.o. controls the mineral exploration licenses awarded by the Czech State over the Cinovec Lithium/Tin Project. Geomet has been granted a preliminary mining permit by the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Industry. The company is owned 49% by EMH and 51% by CEZ a.s. through its wholly owned subsidiary, SDAS. Cinovec hosts a globally significant hard rock lithium deposit with a total Measured Mineral Resource of 53.3Mt at 0.48% Li2O and 0.08% Sn, Indicated Mineral Resource of 360.2Mt at 0.44% Li2O and 0.05% Sn and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 294.7Mt at 0.39% Li2O and 0.05% Sn containing a combined 7.39 million tonnes Lithium Carbonate Equivalent and 335.1kt of tin (refer to the Company’s release dated 13 October 2021) (Resource Upgrade at Cinovec Lithium Project).

An initial Probable Ore Reserve of 34.5Mt at 0.65% Li2O and 0.09% Sn reported 4 July 2017 (Cinovec Maiden Ore Reserve – Further Information) has been declared to cover the first 20 years mining at an output of 22,500tpa of lithium carbonate (refer to the Company’s release dated 11 July 2018) (Cinovec Production Modelled to Increase to 22,500tpa of Lithium Carbonate).

This makes Cinovec the largest hard rock lithium deposit in Europe, the fifth largest non-brine deposit in the world and a globally significant tin resource.

The deposit has previously had over 400,000 tonnes of ore mined with a trial sub-level open stope underground mining operation.

On 19 January 2022, EMH provided an update to the 2019 PFS Update, conducted by specialist independent consultants, which, based upon the production of 29,386tpa of lithium hydroxide, indicates a post-tax NPV of USD1.938B and a post-tax IRR of 36.3% and confirmed that the Cinovec Project is a potential low operating cost producer of battery-grade lithium hydroxide or battery grade lithium carbonate as markets demand. It confirmed the deposit is amenable to bulk underground mining (refer to the Company’s release dated 19 January 2022) (PFS Update delivers outstanding results). Metallurgical test-work has produced both battery-grade lithium hydroxide and battery-grade lithium carbonate in addition to high-grade tin concentrate at excellent recoveries. Cinovec is centrally located for European end-users and is well serviced by infrastructure, with a sealed road adjacent to the deposit, rail lines located 5 km north and 8 km south of the deposit, and an active 22 kV transmission line running to the historic mine. As the deposit lies in an active mining region, it has strong community support.

The economic viability of Cinovec has been enhanced by the recent strong increase in demand for lithium globally, and within Europe specifically.

There are no other material changes to the original information and all the material assumptions continue to apply to the forecasts.

CONTACT

For further information on this update or the Company generally, please visit our website at www.europeanmet.com or see full contact details at the end of this release.

COMPETENT PERSONS/QUALIFIED PERSON

Information in this announcement relating to the FECAB metallurgical testwork is based on technical data compiled or supervised by Mr Walter Mädel, a full-time consultant to Geomet s.r.o the Cinovec project company. Mr Mädel is a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AUSIMM) and a mineral processing professional with over 27 years of experience in metallurgical process and project development, process design, project implementation and operations. Of his experience, at least 5 years have been specifically focused on hard rock pegmatite Lithium processing development. Mr Mädel consents to the inclusion in the announcement of the matters based on this information in the form and context in which it appears. Mr Mädel is a participant in the long-term incentive plan of the Company.

 Information in this release that relates to exploration results is based on information compiled by Dr Vojtech Sesulka. Dr Sesulka is a Certified Professional Geologist (certified by the European Federation of Geologists), a member of the Czech Association of Economic Geologist, and a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code 2012 edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Dr Sesulka has provided his prior written consent to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears. Dr Sesulka is an independent consultant with more than 10 years working for the EMH or Geomet companies. Dr Sesulka does not own any shares in the Company and is not a participant in any short- or long-term incentive plans of the Company.

Mr Grant Harman (B.Sc Chem Eng, B.Com) is an independent consultant with in excess of 7 years of lithium chemicals experience. Mr Harman supervised and reviewed the metallurgical test work and the process design criteria and flow sheets in relation to the LCP. Mr Harman is a participant in the long-term incentive plan of the Company.

The information in this release that relates to Mineral Resources and Exploration Targets is based on, and fairly reflects, information and supporting documentation prepared by Mr Lynn Widenbar. Mr Widenbar, who is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Member of the Australasian Institute of Geoscientists, is a full-time employee of Widenbar and Associates and produced the estimate based on data and geological information supplied by European Metals. Mr Widenbar has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity that he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Minerals Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr Widenbar has provided his prior written consent to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on his information in the form and context that the information appears. Mr Widenbar does not own any shares in the Company and is not a participant in any short- or long-term incentive plans of the Company.

The information in this report is extracted from ASX announcements made by EMH on 11 July 2018 “Cinovec Production Modelled to Increase to 22,500tpa of Lithium Carbonate”, 13 October 2021 “Resource Upgrade at Cinovec Lithium Project” and 19 January 2022 “PFS Update delivers outstanding results” which are available to view on the Company’s website: europeanmet.com. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original market announcement and, in the case of estimates of Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves, that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the relevant market announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Person’s findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcement.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Company has concluded that it has a reasonable basis for providing the forward-looking statements and the forecast financial information included in this ASX release. While the Company considers the assumptions to be based on reasonable grounds, there is no certainty that they will prove to be correct or that the range of outcomes indicated by LCA will be achieved. This ASX release has been prepared in compliance with the current JORC Code (2012) and the ASX Listing Rules.

Information included in this release constitutes forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward looking words such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “continue”, and “guidance”, or other similar words and may include, without limitation, statements regarding plans, strategies and objectives of management, anticipated production or construction commencement dates and expected costs or production outputs.

Forward looking statements inherently involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the company’s actual results, performance, and achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance, or achievements. Relevant factors may include, but are not limited to, changes in commodity prices, foreign exchange fluctuations and general economic conditions, increased costs and demand for production inputs, the speculative nature of exploration and project development, including the risks of obtaining necessary licences and permits and diminishing quantities or grades of reserves, political and social risks, changes to the regulatory framework within which the company operates or may in the future operate, environmental conditions including extreme weather conditions, recruitment and retention of personnel, industrial relations issues and litigation.

Forward looking statements are based on the company and its management’s good faith assumptions relating to the financial, market, regulatory and other relevant environments that will exist and affect the company’s business and operations in the future. The company does not give any assurance that the assumptions on which forward looking statements are based will prove to be correct, or that the company’s business or operations will not be affected in any material manner by these or other factors not foreseen or foreseeable by the company or management or beyond the company’s control.

Although the company attempts and has attempted to identify factors that would cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those disclosed in forward looking statements, there may be other factors that could cause actual results, performance, achievements or events not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and many events are beyond the reasonable control of the company. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements. Forward looking statements in these materials speak only at the date of issue. Subject to any continuing obligations under applicable law or any relevant stock exchange listing rules, in providing this information the company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any of the forward looking statements or to advise of any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

This announcement has been approved for release by the Board.

WEBSITE

A copy of this announcement is available from the Company’s website at www.europeanmet.com.

ENQUIRIES:

The information contained within this announcement is considered to be inside information, for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014, prior to its release. The person who authorised for the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company was Keith Coughlan, Executive Chairman.