Danakali Ltd, on behalf of the Colluli Mining Share Co (CMSC), advises that DRA Global (DRA) has been confirmed as the preferred EPCM provider for the Colluli potash project, subject to completion of detailed contract terms. The confirmation of DRA as preferred EPCM contractor for Colluli represents another critical milestone for the project, reinforcing that Colluli is execution ready.
DRA will be responsible for all aspects of design, project management, procurement, construction management and supervision as well as commissioning of the complete process plant and associated infrastructure, including provision of all temporary construction facilities. DRA will also be responsible for awarding major contracts such as early works, earthworks, structural, mechanical, piping, electrical and instrumentation works, laboratory and permanent camp (including life support, freight and logistics).
Danakali, on behalf of CMSC, conducted a competitive EPCM tender process and evaluation for the Project based on the Front End Engineering Design study. The tenders were assessed by Danakali and multinational engineering consultants Turner & Townsend against strict, established evaluation criteria. DRA was the standout in a premium field of global engineering groups.
Danakali Executive Chairman and CMSC Director, Seamus Cornelius said: “We are very pleased to confirm DRA as the project’s preferred EPCM contractor, a global engineering firm of strong repute with extensive experience operating in Africa. We look forward to working with DRA in finalising the last few project sign-off gates and to commence project execution. Danakali and CMSC continue to achieve critical project and corporate milestones on the way to construction, commissioning and production at Colluli.
“Awarding the execution of this important potash project on the African Continent to DRA is testament to DRA’s position as the preferred technical partner for projects in Africa” said Chief Executive Officer of DRA Global, Wray Carvelas. “DRA is honoured to have been selected by the Colluli Mining Share Company for the execution of the project. We have put together a very strong team for the successful delivery of the project and both our Project Manager and proposed in-Country Manager have experience in delivering projects in Eritrea.”
The EPCM contract is a requirement of potential debt providers and hence is pivotal to the debt fundraising process.
The project is 100% owned by CMSC, a 50:50 joint venture between Danakali and the Eritrean National Mining Corp (ENAMCO). It is located in the Danakil Depression region of Eritrea and is ~75 km from the Red Sea coast, making it one of the most accessible potash deposits globally. Mineralisation within the Colluli resource commences at just 16 m, making it the world’s shallowest known potash deposit. The resource is amenable to open pit mining, which allows higher overall resource recovery to be achieved, is generally safer than underground mining, and is highly advantageous for modular growth.
CMSC has completed a Front End Engineering Design (FEED) for the production of potassium sulphate, otherwise known as SOP. SOP is a chloride free, specialty fertiliser which carries a substantial price premium relative to the more common potash type; potassium chloride (or MOP). Economic resources for production of SOP are geologically scarce. The unique composition of the Colluli resource favours low energy input, high potassium yield conversion to SOP using commercially proven technology. One of the key advantages of the resource is that the salts are present in solid form (in contrast with production of SOP from brines) which reduces infrastructure costs and substantially reduces the time required to achieve full production capacity.
The resource is favourably positioned to supply the world’s fastest growing markets. A binding take-or-pay offtake agreement has been confirmed with EuroChem Trading for up to 100% (minimum 87%) of Colluli Module I SOP production.
The vision is to bring Colluli into production using the principles of risk management, resource utilisation and modularity, using the starting module (Module I) as a growth platform to develop the resource to its full potential.
