European Metals has given in-principle approval to replace Cinovec’s two gas-fired rotary kilns with a single kiln that can run on gas or electricity. Testwork indicates comparable or improved lithium recovery at lower temperatures, with expected reductions in processing-plant capital and operating costs.
- Single gas or electric tunnel kiln to replace two rotary kilns
- 93.4% roast/leach lithium recovery confirmed in testwork
- Expected reductions in processing-plant capex, opex and energy use
- Final gas-versus-electric heating choice remains unresolved
- Phase 3 shuttle-kiln testing due to begin in November 2026
Tunnel kiln replaces rotary kiln design
European Metals Holdings Limited (ASX:EMH) has backed a significant redesign of the Cinovec lithium project’s processing plant, with Geomet giving in-principle approval to replace two gas-fired rotary kilns with a single tunnel kiln.
The change is expected to reduce processing-plant capital and operating costs while lowering energy requirements. The proposed kiln could be heated with either gas or electricity, potentially allowing Cinovec to operate entirely on green power supplied by project partner CEZ, although the final heating configuration has not been selected.
The decision follows earlier tunnel kiln testwork, which identified potential capital and operating cost savings for the project. European Metals has not quantified the savings in this announcement, so the financial impact remains an engineering estimate rather than a revised project cost forecast.
Lower temperatures deliver comparable recovery
The December 2025 definitive feasibility study used two rotary kilns to heat zinnwaldite concentrate and reagents to 950°C for one hour. Recent testwork indicates the tunnel kiln can achieve the same or slightly better lithium roast/leach extraction at a target solids temperature of 850°C for 30 minutes.
Second-phase testing confirmed 93.4% roast/leach lithium recovery, compared with 93.2% reported for the DFS pyrometallurgy configuration. The company also reported no statistical difference between 30-minute and 60-minute residence times at 850°C, suggesting the final residence time could be reduced further. These results come from metallurgical testwork and do not yet represent operating performance at commercial scale.
Detailed engineering comes before final commitment
The next step is detailed design leading to execution-level engineering. The in-principle approval remains subject to satisfactory testwork contracts and preliminary market consultation required under the Czech Public Procurement Act.
European Metals said the kiln switch is not expected to affect the Cinovec timeline or the existing Environmental Impact Assessment process. The company also said the tunnel kiln footprint, including charge mixing, briquetting, pre-heating, cooling and dust and off-gas handling, fits within the equivalent rotary-kiln area at the Prunéřov site.
Phase 3 testing is due to start in November 2026 and will use a shuttle kiln with two kiln cars to test 1.5 tonnes of briquettes per test. The work will focus on refining the roast mix, heat profile, reagent use, milling requirements, kiln materials and air-flow systems, while also testing alternative briquetting equipment.
Bottom Line?
The redesign improves Cinovec’s apparent energy and cost profile, but the investment case still depends on quantified engineering savings, the gas-versus-electricity decision and successful scale-up from pilot testing.
Questions in the middle?
- How much will the tunnel kiln reduce Cinovec’s processing-plant capex and opex once detailed engineering is complete?
- Will Geomet select electric heating, gas firing or a configuration that preserves both options?
- Can the reported recovery rates and shorter residence times be maintained reliably at commercial scale?