Idaho Cobalt Operations Continue To Advance Construction

AUSTRALIA - Jervois Global Limited reported progress on construction at its Idaho Cobalt Operations (ICO) in Idaho. To date, approximately three quarters of all equipment and material for the project is now committed.  Jervois has committed more than US$36.0 million of the Board approved capital budget of US$92.6 million towards equipment, materials and labour costs both onsite and for detailed engineering.

Jervois has ordered all long lead items for the process plant, which are expected to begin arriving onsite from December.  Mining camp units are anticipated to arrive late December upon receipt of necessary permits, with kitchen and supporting units expected to arrive on site in February 2022.  The delay in camp commissioning will decrease productivity through the winter in order to ensure workforce safety.

Together with EPCM M3 Engineering, the project team led on site by ICO Project Director Mike Romaniuk is undertaking a detailed review of the construction schedule.  The date of  commissioning in the second half of 2022 is expected to be increasingly influenced by weather conditions of the current winter construction season.  

This updated project schedule will then underpin completion of a cost to complete test by Independent Engineer RPM Global. More than US$100 million has been invested at ICO to date.  As part of the current construction cycle at site, Jervois has advanced construction of key infrastructure items. Operational readiness activities are also advancing.  ICO has completed recruiting for key management positions at the operations level including finance manager, mill manager and mine manager in advance of full operations commencing in 2022.

ICO is a key asset in delivering Jervois’ strategy to become a leading independent cobalt and nickel company providing metals and minerals for the world’s energy transition through a western supply chain.  When commissioned, ICO will be the United States only domestic mine supply of cobalt.