Exploration and development company Atlas Lithium has provided a construction progress update on its modular dense media separation (DMS) lithium processing plant.  

This follows the company’s announcement last December that Phase I of the plant has already been designed and purchased. 

Construction of the plant is taking place at a facility skilled in DMS processing technology and is expected to be completed in the second quarter (Q2) of 2024.  

It is expected to commence commissioning and begin producing environmentally sustainable lithium concentrate by Q4 2024. 

Atlas Lithium's decision to use compact modular DMS technology is intended to expedite construction and hasten the time to production. 

The method is said to have not previously been employed for lithium processing in Brazil. 

The modular approach is set to revolutionise the installation and commissioning process by reducing the plant's footprint and weight compared to traditional DMS plants.  

Atlas Lithium's modular plant is expected to weigh 41 tonnes.  

Modular DMS construction and preassembly are well advanced on the primary 100 tonnes per hour module and the secondary 50 tonnes per hour module. 

Prior to shipping to Brazil, Atlas Lithium plans a preassembly and testing of these two modules.  

Detailed engineering for the initial open-pit mine and associated non-processing infrastructure is advancing, noted the company. 

SGS Canada, an analytical laboratory, has conducted several rounds of metallurgical test work on ore samples from the company's Neves Project.  

Atlas Lithium notes that it has met or surpassed all quantitative metallurgical targets for its processed ore to date. 

The company notes that the high quality of its plant, production process, and ore material has garnered interest from Chengxin and Yahua as potential offtake buyers of the company's lithium concentrate.  

Atlas Lithium CEO and chair Marc Fogassa said: “We are delighted to have aligned with two respected lithium industry leaders in Chengxin and Yahua as our first offtake partners.  

“With modular technology enabling streamlined plant construction followed by rapid deployment and commissioning, and Phase I offtake committed, we remain on track on our goal of achieving initial production in Q4 2024.”