American Tungsten & Antimony (ASX:AT4) has engaged international engineering firm Metso Finland to complete a concept study for an ammonium paratungstate (APT) production circuit at its Del Sol Refinery in Nevada, US.
The front end loading 1 (FEL1) concept study will evaluate a proposed phase-one capacity of 2,500 tonnes per annum (tpa) of APT, alongside a potential modular expansion to 5,000 tpa.
Rather than constructing a standalone greenfield tungsten plant, Metso intends to assess integrating the circuit within the existing permitted Del Sol facility to leverage its hydrometallurgical infrastructure.
CEO Casper Adson says rebuilding domestic processing capability is “a question of national interest” given US reliance on offshore supply.
“Del Sol is a constructed and permitted hydrometallurgical plant on American soil,” Adson says.
“Putting an APT circuit inside an existing footprint rather than building on a greenfield site has the potential to materially reduce the capital required and the timeline to commence producing a domestic tungsten product.”
Executive Chairman Timothy Morrison notes that technical and cost data generated by Metso will support ongoing engagement with government agencies and funding partners.
“The board regards this as a significant step forward. It advances Del Sol towards its goal as a multi-commodity sovereign metals refinery to accelerate America’s critical minerals independence,” Morrison says.
Deliverables include a conceptual flowsheet, equipment list, class 5 capital cost estimate, indicative operating costs, and a roadmap toward a Prefeasibility Study.
AT4 notes the engagement aligns with broader corporate efforts to secure government support. Adson is currently holding meetings in Washington, D.C. with government stakeholders, including White House representatives, to discuss grant and funding instruments.
These discussions build on progress with the US Department of Energy regarding the ASCEND-Sb Project, for which the company entered award negotiations in August under the Mines & Metals Capacity Expansion program.
American Tungsten & Antimony is focused on the exploration and development of antimony and tungsten projects in the US.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: American Tungsten & Antimony
