European Metals Holdings Ltd (LON:EMHE) (AIM:EMH, ASX:EMH, OTCQX:EMHLF) has announced the final selection of the EPR1 site for the processing plant of its Cinovec Lithium project, in Czechia, ticking off another milestone towards development.
The Prunéřov EPR1 site was chosen following extensive assessments, including construction cost evaluations, geotechnical surveys, and sustainability considerations.
The site offers multiple advantages, the company noted – including established road and rail infrastructure, proximity to utilities such as power, gas, and water, and it being rehabilitated land to reduce the environmental impact.
It’s location near the CEZ-operated EPR2 power station may further reduce operating and construction costs, the company added, whilst potentially enabling expanded processing capacity.
"The final selection of the EPR1 site for the processing plant provides significant benefits,” executive chair Keith Coughlan said in a statement.
“This strategic location in an existing industrial area reduces costs and improves constructability, and offers the potential for expanded processing capacity and further cost reducing synergies as it is adjacent to the CEZ-operated EPR2 power station.
"We are excited that it allows access to already-in-progress green energy sources from solar power installations and potentially, a Small Modular Nuclear Reactor.
“These developments deliver into our decarbonisation strategy, ensuring the project's competitiveness, sustainability and long-term viability.”
Now, the company is updating its Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) to reflect the new project configuration, with results expected by mid-2025.
Ongoing engineering work, meanwhile, focuses on optimizing costs, increasing production, and enhancing lithium recovery. A recent change to the Front-End Comminution and Beneficiation (FECAB) circuit, involving 100% flotation, has already improved recovery rates and reduced costs.
Coughlin added: “Our ongoing work to update the DFS is focused on reducing costs, increasing production tonnages and volumes, and further enhancing the processing flowsheet … we are confident that Cinovec will play a key role in Europe's lithium supply and contribute to the green energy transition."