Sjlasx, I find it interesting you dont think that the head of an ASX listed company mining in the DRC hasnt considered the question of a plant yet it seems you have done so yourself. Apparently we are hauling the stuff out using elephants. Perhaps an eye due south to the copper cobalt belt, soon to be hooked up directly to Manono would mitigate your "concerns".
I suggest you look at Winmar's announcement of 50% of the Luapula Processing Facility in Likasi. This is right in the Cobalt copper belt and when we look at it relative to the new road to Manono its at the very start.
METS, the consulting engineers, confirmed that “there are no fatal flaws with the project and the risks for the project can be managed” and furthermore that “there is power, water and good infrastructure to support the project including offices, workshops, stores and accommodation facilities on site.”
And Likasi has a rail yard and station. So, Lithium processing could be done here and there is no impedence to shipping in chemicals. Its done now or made in the area.
Kamoto Copper Company just down the road in Kolwesi. So plainly the copper and cobalt producers see no impediment to processing there or being able to bring in or make the chemicals in the DRC. Oh, and they obviously dont feel concerned about a stable and skilled workforce either.
“Kamoto Copper Company SA", a leading copper mining company based in the Democratic Republic of Congo, subsidiary of Glencore International, has awarded to Desmet Ballestra Italy (DBI) the design and supply of a sulphuric acid plant having an overall capacity of 2200 ton/day, complete with a Liquid SO2 production unit and a co-generation unit based on a steam turbine. The sulphuric acid plant will be based on MECS Dupont technology, while the Liquid SO2 unit will be based on a process developed by DBI.
DBI scope of supply includes the execution of basic and detail engineering, the supply of plant equipment and materials and the provision of field services, including assistance to construction management and management of commissioning and start-up based on a fast track execution scheme.
This is the second sulphuric and Liquid SO2 project awarded by Glencore Group to DBI, following the first project for the Glencore subsidiary Mutanda Mining, successfully started-up in 2012.
It doesnt look so hard to me.
http://www.desmetballestra.com/news/503-new-sulphuric-acid-plant-awarded-to-desmet-ballestra
Map courtesy of Dr Manhatten
For the winmar stuff, see proactive investors announcement the last few days.
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