European Metals announced preliminary results for the testwork and design of a tunnel kiln for the Cinovec lithium project, located on the Czech-German border. The company is considering replacing the two gas-fired rotary kilns in its plant configuration with a single tunnel kiln.
“The use of a tunnel kiln is a potentially important change from the [definitive feasibility study] of the Cinovec project. If adopted, this change could result in a significant reduction in the capex as a result of the use of off-the-shelf components, modular construction as well as considerable opex reductions relating to the reduction in the roasting temperature of the zinnwaldite concentrate and the option to use electricity instead of gas to fire the kilns,” explained Keith Coughlan, executive chairman.
“The use of green electricity to fire the kiln could also drastically reduce the carbon footprint of the project, enabling Cinovec to be a leading low-carbon producer of lithium carbonate.”
European Metals said a gas-fired tunnel kiln is estimated to materially reduce capex by approximately US$112 million and opex by US$10 million per annum compared to the definitive feasibility study rotary kilns.
Geomet has been investigating the use of a tunnel kiln as part of the Cinovec project since 2022, when a basic scoping-level engineering study was undertaken to assess its viability.
The switch to a tunnel kiln is not expected to impact the project timeline as the tunnel kiln footprint fits inside the footprint of the equivalent rotary kiln process train. A decision to change to a tunnel kiln configuration is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Cinovec is owned by Geomet, a joint venture between Czech energy utility company CEZ (51%) and European Metals (49%).
Source: European Metals