ioneer Ltd (ioneer or ‘the Company’) (ASX: INR), an emerging lithium-boron supplier, is pleased to announce it has awarded a major engineering and equipment supply contract to ABB Inc., for the development of the Company’s Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project (‘Rhyolite Ridge’ or ‘the Project’) in Esmeralda County, Nev.
The contract has been awarded on a limited notice to proceed (LNTP) basis, with the supply of the equipment packages being conditional on a final investment decision (FID) on the Project by ioneer’s Board of Directors. Under the contract, the ABB team will commence work on systems engineering and optimization for the equipment packages, which include a steam turbine generator, medium and low voltage electrical distribution, power management and plant-wide process automation and instrumentation systems for the generation, acid and lithium processing plants.
ABB is a leading global technology company with 130 years track record in mining applications. ABB draws on its comprehensive ABB Ability™ MineOptimize approach and portfolio of optimized engineering, products and systems, electrification and automation solutions, digital applications and remote services. ABB Ability™ MineOptimize integrates individual mining solutions into a connected and structured plant-wide system to optimize all stages in the lifecycle – from design and build to operation and service – of any open-pit or underground mine and minerals processing plant. This approach helps mining companies to optimize CAPEX and maximize productivity, sustainability and safety.
ioneer and ABB are both founding members of the Zero Emissions Transportation Association (ZETA) which is an industry coalition advocating for policies to encourage adoption of Electric Vehicles in the USA.
ioneer Managing Director, Bernard Rowe said:
“The contract with ABB is another significant supply package award at Rhyolite Ridge and represents yet another step in the development of the Project. Like other suppliers we’ve partnered with, ABB is focused on providing environmentally sound engineering and technology solutions. This aligns with ioneer’s ambition to not only produce materials necessary to develop electric vehicle and renewable energy supply chain infrastructure in North America, but to do so in an efficient and environmentally responsible manner through lowered emissions, significantly reduced water usage and a small surface footprint.”
ABB’s Division President Process Industries, Joachim Braun, said:
“The Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project represents an opportunity for the US and the world to ensure the supply of the minerals needed to successfully transition to sustainable transport and we’re proud to be part of it,” said Joachim Braun, President of ABB’s Process Industries Division. “We look forward to working with ioneer on the engineering, equipment and project management as it progresses development. This contract provides clear recognition of our experience, know-how, and world-class technologies supported by our ABB Ability™ MineOptimize. It is also important to note that our localized approach and strength in service and aftermarket were important factors for ioneer when it came to choosing a partner.”
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About ioneer
ioneer Ltd is the 100% owner of the Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project located in Nevada, USA, the only known lithium-boron deposit in North America and one of only two known such deposits in the world. The Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS)1 completed in 2020 confirmed Rhyolite Ridge as a world-class lithium and boron project that is expected to become a globally significant, long-life, low-cost source of lithium and boron vital to a sustainable future. In September 2021, ioneer entered a 50/50 joint venture agreement with Sibanye Stillwater Ltd to advance the Rhyolite Ridge project. ioneer will be the operator of the Project, which is expected to come onstream in 2024.
About ABB
ABB is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries.