Element 25 (HPMSM)

Element 25 is currently engaged in the production of manganese concentrate at their Butcherbird mine located in Western Australia. Their strategic vision encompasses augmenting the value of their operations by venturing into the production of high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM), primarily geared towards serving the lithium-ion cathode manufacturing sector. This ambitious endeavor is slated to take shape at a planned facility in Ascension Parish, LA, marking a significant milestone as the inaugural establishment of its caliber in the United States.

Forecasts anticipate the facility to boast an initial capacity of producing approximately 65,000 tons per year of battery-grade HPMSM per train. This capacity is poised for expansion, with projections indicating a potential doubling to 130,000 tons per year with the addition of a second train. Moreover, in line with sustainability initiatives, the facility is set to generate supplementary value through the production of reusable materials. These include a fertilizer feedstock, crucial for agricultural applications, a ferro-silicon (FeSi) smelter feedstock tailored for utilization in steel production processes, and a gypsum by-product tailored for industrial applications, further underlining the multifaceted utility of the enterprise.

The collaboration between the CSRS team and Element 25 commenced in late 2022, forging a dynamic partnership to achieve project success. This strategic alliance proved highly effective, as the team efficiently navigated through various project phases, offering invaluable owner’s team support across a spectrum of tasks. These included efficiently selecting a suitable site and providing owner’s team support for various project stages, including site due diligence, layout optimization, incentives negotiations, surveying, site drainage design, permitting, and Owner engineering design management in all major disciplines of Civil/Structural, Electrical, Control System/Instrumentation, Mechanical, Piping/Mechanical Design). CSRS also provided Owner document control and procurement resources. Element 25 provided the technology and basic process design. 

The Owner’s scope on this project was vast and complex, necessitating a strategic approach to execution. CSRS rose to the occasion, effectively identifying, estimating, and executing the Element 25 Owners scope, thereby ensuring seamless integration into the project. 

CSRS provided USACE permit assembly and development, subcontract and managed the Air Permit, and provided overall permit management on the project.

CSRS also provided TIC and EPC estimates, schedule reviews, and statistical analysis. Working with the EPC Contractor, CSRS identified, created, and assembled the EPC Contract and its many associated contract exhibits. 

Furthermore, despite Element 25’s geographical location and significant time zone differences in Perth, Australia, with a primary focus on mining operations, the CSRS team functioned as a dedicated extension in the United States, exhibiting remarkable adaptability and resilience in overcoming challenges.