Fluor Corp. (Irving, Tex.; www-fluor.com) says that ioneer Ltd. has selected Fluor to deliver its lithium and boron mine outside of Tonopah, Nevada. Fluor will initially provide a definitive feasibility study, and subsequently, engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) services as the project progresses. Fluor will book the feasibility study contract value in the fourth quarter of 2018 and expects to book the full EPCM contract value in 2019 dependent on a final investment decision.
“With the growing demand for electric vehicles and energy storage, Fluor is excited to work with ioneer on our first lithium mine project in Nevada,” says Tony Morgan, president of Fluor’s Mining & Metals business. “Our team brings the right combination of technical and execution expertise. We will leverage our full suite of integrated solutions tools, including our Zero Base Execution process and fit-for-purpose modular design strategy, to develop an execution approach to deliver this project safely and with excellence.”
The mine will extract and process ore to produce 20,200 tons of lithium carbonate and 173,000 tons of boric acid, annually. Lithium is a key component in batteries used for electric vehicles, power tools, drones and other items. Boron is widely used in the glass industry to strengthen and increase heat resistance for glass cookware, laboratory glassware and glass screens used in mobile phones, tablets and liquid crystal display televisions. Boron is also used in fiberglass, insulation, electronics and as a micronutrient in agriculture.
The full notice to proceed on the EPCM phase is expected in 2019 with first production expected in 2021.