It would be interesting to find out some details on the testing...

It would be interesting to find out some details on the testing required to achieve the performance guarantee we could receive from KBR. The way i read it is SG and the team have rightfully pushed back on them because of the delay and in return received this "Performance Guarantee" once test works are complete.
What ever nameplate levels of Nitric Acid recovery actually means its obvious that it is a big enough part of the process for Financiers to require more work on and if these tests progress as planned we will now get a Guarantee from this supplier on this component of the process working.
This is NEW technology and getting a performance guarantee to secure financing could end up speeding this up.
H have a look at the performance options SG will miss out on. He has also taken the short term hit to sure up and de risk a project that will be a game changer for years to come.