ALLKEM 
- Plant modifications completed on time and materially on budget in April;
- Commissioning and ramp up commenced in May;
- Full production expected on schedule in September.
The Tincalayu plant upgrade was initiated to consolidate the production of decahydrate and pentahydrate in the same location, increase production rates and lower unit costs. The upgrade will also create options to export finished product directly from Tincalayu to international markets via Chilean ports. The plant modifications were completed in April on time and materially on budget, as per previous guidance.
Production rates to date have peaked at 97 tonnes per day (tpd) borax decahydrate equivalent. Full nameplate production of 100 tpd is expected to be achieved on schedule by September 2016.
Previously announced changes to the boric acid plant at Campo Quijano will be completed in June. These modifications will improve efficiencies and manufacturing throughput by 20% and make the plant more suitable for processing hydroboracite ores. The boric acid plant and borax anhydrous manufacturing will remain at Campo Quijano.
A production efficiency review of the Borax Argentina operations commenced in Q1 CY2016. This has already delivered significant performance improvements at the Sijes concentrator which produces boron mineral products (Hydroboracite and Colemanite), resulting in increased production and lower unit costs. Further efficiencies are expected to be realised as the review continues.
Tincalayu Expansion Study
A study commenced in Q2 CY2016 to evaluate a potential expansion of the Tincalayu refined borates operation from its current production capacity of 30,000 tpa to 100-120,000 tpa.
It is anticipated that the potential expansion will further enhance efficiencies in the production of refined borates at Tincalayu and contribute to an improved manufacturing unit costs. This study will consolidate the work already undertaken on a new gas pipeline, for which permitting is underway.
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About Orocobre Limited:
Orocobre Limited is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange (ASX:ORE) (TSE:ORL) (OTCMKTS:OROCF), and is building a substantial Argentinian-based industrial minerals company through the construction and operation of its portfolio of lithium, potash and boron projects and facilities in the Puna region of northern Argentina.
The Company has built, in partnership with Toyota Tsusho Corporation and JEMSE, the first large-scale, greenfield brine based lithium project in 20 years at the Salar de Olaroz with planned production of 17,500 tonnes per annum of low-cost battery grade lithium carbonate.
Source:
Orocobre Limited
Contact:
Richard Seville Managing Director T: +61-7-3871-3985 M: +61-419-916-338 E: rseville@orocobre.com James Calaway Chairman M: +1-713-818-1457 E: jcalaway@orocobre.com
