EV Resources Targets 10-12 Month Tecomatlán Production with Flotation Upgrade

Flotation Upgrade Redefines Tecomatlán Production Timeline

EV Resources (ASX:EVR) has revised the production timeline for its Tecomatlán antimony plant, now targeting full flotation circuit operation within 10 to 12 months. This timeline supersedes the previous end-of-2026 guidance for the gravity-only stage, reflecting a strategic pivot to an integrated flotation-led process that promises significantly higher antimony recovery and concentrate grade.

Metallurgical test work on third-party ore from the Chinantla project demonstrates an 81% recovery rate of antimony with concentrate grades of 42.4% Sb via flotation, compared to just 29.25% recovery and 20.54% grades from gravity concentration. This improvement underpins the company’s confidence in the flotation route as the optimal processing method, enabling better economics without a major capital expenditure increase or schedule impact.

Third-Party Ore Supply Secured to Accelerate Cash Flow

EVR’s Tecomatlán plant is designed as a regional hub, sourcing ore from multiple third-party miners across Puebla, Oaxaca, and Guerrero. The model offers local miners a cost-effective alternative to distant smelters, while EVR advances non-binding memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering over 50% of the plant’s nameplate capacity. The company is progressing these towards definitive agreements to secure feedstock for near-term production.

This hub-and-spoke approach not only mitigates feedstock risk but also aligns with EVR’s strategy to fast-track production leveraging existing infrastructure. Permit applications, including the Informe Preventivo environmental report, are being prepared to support operational readiness.

Los Lirios Phase 1 Drilling Wraps with Structural Clarity

At the Los Lirios flagship project, EVR has completed its Phase 1 drilling program, confirming the presence of a shallow, strata-bound Carbonate Replacement Deposit (CRD) system. The drilling results, including the exclusion of one minor CRD intersected hole (DDH-L2-15-26) from assaying due to lack of significant mineralisation, provide a clearer geological framework for targeting high-grade zones.

Recent channel sampling assays from the Cofradia zone validate earlier handheld pXRF results, with laboratory assays showing a reasonable 20% over-reporting bias in pXRF readings. The weighted average for a significant 2.2m interval stands at 5.20% Sb, reinforcing the high-grade nature of the mineralisation. These findings support EVR’s exploration model that links mineralisation to proximity to feeder structures, providing a structural vector for upcoming resource drilling.

Next Steps Focus on Permitting and Commercialisation

EVR is advancing permit submissions and environmental approvals in parallel with metallurgical testing to optimise processing routes. The company is also progressing feedstock MoUs towards binding contracts and initiating offtake agreement discussions, all critical steps towards transitioning from exploration to production.

While the timeline remains conservative and subject to permitting and operational progress, EVR’s integrated approach combining flotation upgrades, regional ore supply, and validated exploration results positions it well to become a near-term antimony producer amid global critical mineral supply concerns.