EV Resources Advances Tecomatlán Plant Commissioning, Near-Term Antimony Production Targeted

Grinding Circuit Milestone Signals Production Shift

EV Resources Limited (ASX:EVR) has propelled its Tecomatlán Processing Plant closer to production with dry commissioning now well advanced on its grinding circuit. Two of the three ball mills are operational, with full commissioning expected within four weeks, marking a clear transition from refurbishment to near-term production readiness. This development materially reduces execution risk by activating the plant’s core processing infrastructure, which is crucial for the company’s low CAPEX restart strategy.

The refurbishment of Ball Mills #1 and #2 is complete, while Mill #3 is progressing on a disciplined one-mill-per-week schedule. Electrical upgrades, including the integration of Variable Frequency Drives (VFD), have been finalised, enabling sequential commissioning that minimises upfront capital expenditure while maintaining operational flexibility. This staged approach underscores EVR's capital discipline, having avoided approximately USD $175,000 in unnecessary costs through strategic procurement decisions.

Streamlined Pathway to Production Without Permitting Delays

Phase 1 operations, focused on gravity concentration, require no additional permitting, providing a streamlined path to first production. The processing design utilises two-stage gravity concentrators, thickener, and dry tailings filtration to deliver a low-impact, reagent-free flowsheet with a minimal environmental footprint. Metallurgical tests continue to support the high quality of concentrate from Los Lirios mineralisation, which is known for low impurity levels and favourable processing characteristics.

EVR’s Managing Director Mike Brown highlighted the significance of this milestone: "Bringing the grinding circuit, the heart of the Tecomatlán plant, into operational readiness marks our transition from refurbishment into execution. Achieving this milestone with no permitting constraints for Phase 1, alongside disciplined capital management and a clear commissioning timeline, highlights the strength of our strategy and the quality of execution by the team."

Strategic Positioning Amid Global Antimony Supply Constraints

Global antimony supply remains critically constrained, and EVR’s progress positions the company to emerge as a near-term producer at a pivotal moment. The Tecomatlán plant refurbishment complements the company’s broader strategy, which includes advancing the high-grade Los Lirios Antimony Project and US assets in Nevada. Recent drilling at Los Lirios has delineated a large-scale carbonate replacement deposit system, reinforcing the potential for a substantial resource base to feed the plant once operational.
EVR’s low-capex, staged commissioning approach was previously outlined as part of its Mexico Antimony Hub development, reflecting a deliberate focus on cost control and operational efficiency during the transition from explorer to producer. This milestone builds on earlier progress, including grinding circuit refurbishment on schedule and extensive shallow CRD antimony system confirmation at Los Lirios.

The company’s US projects, Dollar and Milton in Nevada, also add strategic depth to its North American critical minerals portfolio, with recent assays confirming promising gold and antimony grades. This diversified asset base aligns with growing government focus on securing critical mineral supply chains for energy storage, defence, and high-tech applications.