Enhancing established processes for Nd/Pd .... a conundrum as to what that means?
The KMP was established , using Pilot Plant principles and the LP model , due to be scaled up .The previous MD had it producing 5200 tons by the second half of 2022 !
Sure --Covid got in the way , both in Plant building and Offtakes ---and clearly , the resulting lack of cash flow has impacted scale up .
Having to rely on the Vietnamese Nd/Pd raw material supplier , impacts on quantity /availability and possible purity ..to run production levels cost effectively , versus the Titanium alloy production where it seems that raw material supply and margins don't represent the same problems !
But no where in recent Announcements --since the opening of the PLANT ..can I see where ASM has said the patented process doesn't work ---more its been indications that its a work in progress , impacted by the possible problems indicated above .It will be extremely frustrating ..and a reflection on the subject of Disclosure and Obligations ..if this was to be otherwise .
Regrettably -..it seems to take these forum discussions on HC , to sift thru what is a very opaque situation of where ASM now actually stands . That said , the indications of the discussions and visitations by the likes of POSCO to Dubbo , lead one to think that they ( POSCO ) woulld not be wasting their time , if the "substance"of the proposed Operation ( Dubbo and KMP as a Mines to Metals Entity ) wasn't a reality .
AIMHO
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