EV Resources has prepaid for a key Falcon Concentrator to refurbish its Tecomatlan Plant in Mexico, advancing its path to antimony production with strong metallurgical results and a focus on artisanal ore processing.
- Pre-payment completed for first of two Falcon Concentrators
- Metallurgical tests show 90.8% antimony recovery from Los Lirios ore
- Plan to process artisanal third-party ore for early cash flow
- Engineering and construction packages finalised, commissioning targeted 2H 2026
- Environmental permitting progressing with no major impacts identified
Strategic Equipment Investment
EV Resources (ASX: EVR) has taken a significant step forward in its transition from explorer to producer by pre-paying for the first of two Falcon Concentrators destined for the refurbishment of its Tecomatlan Plant in Mexico. This move not only locks in favourable pricing but also signals the company’s commitment to accelerating its production timeline, with commissioning targeted for the second half of 2026.
Strong Metallurgical Performance
Metallurgical testwork on a composite sample from EVR’s flagship Los Lirios project has delivered an impressive antimony recovery rate of 90.8% using simple gravitational concentration methods. This high recovery rate bodes well for the efficiency and profitability of the upcoming plant operations, underpinning the company’s confidence in its processing strategy.
Innovative Dual-Feed Approach
In a bid to generate near-term cash flow and optimise plant utilisation, EVR plans to process ore sourced from regional artisanal miners alongside its own material. This dual-feed strategy is designed to provide operational flexibility and accelerate revenue generation during the scale-up phase, while ongoing metallurgical characterisation work aims to fine-tune recovery profiles for these third-party ores.
Refurbishment and Environmental Progress
Engineering and construction packages for the Tecomatlan Plant refurbishment are complete, with full mobilisation pending a final soil use permit. Importantly, the plant’s gravity-based processing is reagent-free and will employ dry stacked tailings, minimising environmental impact and negating the need for extensive environmental impact studies. Comprehensive environmental assessments have confirmed the absence of critical flora, fauna, or community concerns in the project area.
Positioning for North American Supply
EV Resources is strategically positioning itself to supply antimony, a critical mineral essential for energy storage, defence, and high-tech applications, to the North American market. The acquisition of the Tecomatlan Plant and the rapid advancement of Los Lirios underpin this strategy, complemented by EVR’s US-based assets in Nevada. CEO Mike Brown emphasises the company’s focus on establishing a reliable supply chain and achieving production milestones on schedule.
Bottom Line?
With equipment secured and strong test results in hand, EV Resources is poised to deliver on its promise of a near-term antimony supply, but permit approvals and artisanal ore processing outcomes remain key watchpoints.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the pending soil use permit be granted without delay to enable construction mobilisation?
- How will metallurgical recovery rates from artisanal third-party ore compare to company-sourced material?
- What are the implications of processing artisanal ore on long-term operational costs and product quality?