Brazilian Critical Minerals takes key Ema REE step with BFS lead appointed

• BCM appoints Altris Engineering as lead engineer for Ema BFS 
• Altris will deliver the process plant and non-process infrastructure components 
• The BFS will take 6-9 months to complete

Special Report: Brazilian Critical Minerals has selected newly formed Altris Engineering as lead engineer for the Ema project bankable feasibility study, which is anticipated to take about six to nine months to complete. 

The Altris team – formerly of Primero Group – comprises highly qualified study and project managers, engineers and designers across key disciplines such as process, mechanical, piping, civil/structural and instrumentation. 

Brazilian Critical Minerals (ASX:BCM) is confident that the lead consultant appointment, alongside ANSTO and WSP, brings together a highly experienced group of specialists ready to advance the Ema project in Brazil through detailed feasibility studies ahead of project financing discussions.

Altris will deliver the process plant and non-process infrastructure components of the BFS as well as coordinate the overall compilation and delivery of the final DFS report. 

The bankable study doesn’t usually differ in project parameters from the DFS and both include a stack of detail on what terms financiers should provide to make the project sing.

Altris has delivered multiple scoping, prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and has led EPC and EPCM project execution for battery and critical minerals projects across multiple global jurisdictions.

With strong experience in project delivery, it is recognised for producing fit-for-purpose designs that minimise capital expenditure while maintaining high standards of operability and safety.

ANSTO has globally recognised expertise in the processing of critical and strategic metals including rare earths and was instrumental in the delivery of the metallurgical assessment during the Ema scoping study phase.

WSP brings in-house expertise in the design, implementation and optimisation of in-situ recovery (ISR) mining projects across a range of commodities and global jurisdictions.

Building momentum 

BCM managing director Andrew Reid said the company was extremely pleased to be partnering with Altris as its lead engineer. 

“The Ema Project is the only rare earths in-situ recovery (ISR) development of its kind in the Western world, with a capital cost of just US$55 million – positioning it as potentially the lowest-cost, near-term source of rare earth feedstock under current market conditions,” he said. 

“We look forward to building on the momentum of the past 12 months and continuing to add value through practical, fit-for-purpose engineering that is grounded in sound commercial logic.”

What else is happening?

BCM has multiple activities planned on the ground over the course of the next few months including geotechnical investigations, Lidar survey capture for accurate field designs, infrastructure powerline study design and road access assessment of upgrades to improve wet season access. 

This article was developed in collaboration with Brazilian Critical Minerals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing. 

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.