Cinovec DFS & Mineral Reserve and Resource Updated

Summary by AI BETAClose X

European Metals Holdings Limited has released the results of its Definitive Feasibility Study for the Cinovec Lithium Project, confirming it as a long-life producer of battery-grade lithium carbonate strategically positioned to supply the European electric vehicle and energy storage sectors. The study projects steady-state production of 37,500 tonnes per annum of lithium carbonate over a 26-year operating life, supported by updated JORC reserves of 54.40 Mt and resources of 747.54 Mt. The project boasts robust economics with a pre-tax NPV of US$1.715 billion and an IRR of 15.2%, inclusive of approved grants totaling EUR 360 million from the Czech Government and US$36 million from the EU Just Transition Fund. Initial capital expenditure is estimated at US$1.72 billion net of grants, with ongoing workstreams focused on securing project financing and finalising off-take agreements.

Disclaimer*

European Metals Holdings Limited
19 December 2025
 

 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the UK version of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 which is part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended ("MAR"). Upon the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

European Metals Holdings Limited

(ASX & AIM: EMH, OTCQX and OTCQB: EMHXY and EMHLF) 

("European Metals" or the "Company") 

 

CINOVEC DFS CONFIRMS LONG-LIFE BATTERY-GRADE LITHIUM CARBONATE PRODUCER STRATEGICALLY POSITIONED TO SUPPLY EUROPEAN EV AND ENERGY-STORAGE SECTORS

MINERAL RESERVE AND RESOURCE UPDATED

HIGHLIGHTS

·           Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) confirms Cinovec as a long-life producer of battery-grade lithium carbonate, strategically located within the European EV and battery manufacturing corridor.

·           Steady-state (excluding ramp up/ramp down) production of 37,500 tonnes per annum (tpa) of battery-grade lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃), representing approximately 5.2% of EU demand in 2030[1] and sufficient for up to 1,300,000 60kWh EV batteries annually[2].

·           26+ year operating life, underpinned by an updated JORC Resource of 747.54 Mt @ 0.19% Li (0.40% Li₂O )  (7.45 Mt LCE) and An updated JORC Reserve of 54.40 Mt @ 0.27% Li (0.58% Li₂O ) (145,000 t contained Li), with expansion optionality.

·           Robust economics:

Pre-tax NPV8%: US$1.715bn (Inclusive of Grants)

Pre-tax IRR: 15.2% (Inclusive of Grants)

LOM C1 costs: US$12,492/t;

LOM AISC: US$13,673/t

·           Initial CAPEX of US$1.72bn ((including contingency and net of approved grants) and sustaining CAPEX (life of mine) of US$0.498B.

·           Significant government support: Approval for up to EUR 360m Czech Government grant + US$36m EU Just Transition Fund grant[3].

·           DFS completion enables advancement of key workstreams:

EU stakeholder engagement for additional grant and debt support

Formal project financing discussions

Finalisation of advanced off-take negotiations

 

·           Vertically integrated project comprising underground mine, Prunéřov beneficiation and lithium chemical plant and all necessary integration of utilities and transport requirements.

·           Strong ESG profile aligned with EU CRMA, Equator Principles and International Finance Corporation standards.

European Metals Holdings Limited ("European Metals" or "the Company") announces the results of the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for the Cinovec Lithium Project (Cinovec or Project), located in the Czech Republic. Cinovec hosts Europe's largest hard-rock lithium resource and one of the world's largest non-brine lithium deposits. The DFS was prepared by DRA Global (processing, including Front-End Comminution and Beneficiation (FECAB) and Lithium Chemical Plant (LCP)), Bara Consulting (mining), and specialist engineering, logistics, environmental and permitting consultants. Affiliated Czech partners, including CEZ, have also contributed extensive site, permitting, and regulatory frameworks.

The DFS builds on more than a decade of drilling and sampling, metallurgical testwork, mine design, environmental studies, permitting preparation, stakeholder engagement, infrastructure planning and engineering.

The Cinovec Project is fully located within the Czech Republic, providing EU-domestic supply of lithium to meet the continent's fast-growing requirements for EV batteries and energy-storage systems. The Project sits within 200-350 km of several gigafactories either operating, under construction, or planned within the EU and can benefit from its proximity to a large share of automotive industry entities (OEMs) in Central Europe with 22 car manufacturing plants within 400 km of Prague with over 8 million vehicles manufactured in the area annually.

Figure 1: Cinovec's location with proximity to gigafactories/OEMs either operating, under construction, or planned within the EU

·      Up-to-date geological interpretation supported by additional diamond drilling.

·      Expanded metallurgical programs including locked-cycle flotation campaigns and sustained pilot-scale operation of the downstream lithium chemical process.

·      Mine design and geotechnical modelling incorporating both historical mining data and contemporary laboratory testing.

·      DFS level engineering for the aerial conveyor system, Dukla bulk materials handling hub, Prunéřov beneficiation plant (FECAB), Prunéřov Lithium Chemical Plant (LCP), backfill paste plant and Doly Nástup Tušimice open pit coal mine (DNT) tailings storage facility.

·      DFS level Hydrogeological, hydrological, biodiversity, noise, vibration, air quality and visual modelling which will be utilised as part of a unified Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

·      A full Project Execution Plan (PEP), risk assessment, cost estimation, and implementation scheduling.

Key Metrics

 

 

Given the technical and economic viability demonstrated by the Feasibility Study, the Company has reasonable grounds to believe the Project could be financed via a combination of debt and equity.

 

Following the completion of the DFS, the Company will seek to formalise the ongoing discussions with potential debt or equity institutions. The Company expects debt could potentially be secured from a range of sources including European banks (eg EIB/KFW), Australian banks, European critical minerals funds, resource credit funds, export credit agencies, Government agencies and in conjunction with product sales or offtake agreements. The viability of the Project is enhanced by having a joint venture partner in the CEZ Group and the very clear political and economic support of the Czech Government and European Union, which will assist in negotiations for debt and equity.

 

The Company may also consider commencing a formal strategic partnering process whereby alternative funding options, including undertaking a corporate transaction, a joint venture partnership, a partial asset sale and/or offtake pre-payment could be undertaken if it maximises shareholder value over the long term.

 

 

 

 

The Company has maintained close contact with a number of potential offtakers in Europe and globally during the course of development of the DFS. Discussions with these parties will now be formalised.

 

The support of the Czech Government in the grant award is confirmation that the Cinovec Project is a foundation stone enabling the development of downstream industries, expected to bring significant industrial partners to invest in Czechia, whether in the Cinovec Project itself or the enabled Pre-CAM, CAM, Li-ion battery or BEV industries.

 

There is no certainty that the Company will be able to source funding as and when required. It is also possible that required funding may only be available on terms that may be dilutive to or otherwise affect the value of the Company's existing shares.

 

The Company has formed the view that there is a reasonable basis to believe that requisite future funding for development of the Project will be available when required based on the following: 

 

·      EMH has a market capitalisation of approximately A$80 million and a strong track record of raising equity funding for the advancement of the Project. Approximately A$61.7M has been raised from sophisticated investors, brokers and existing shareholders, and used to advance its share of the Cinovec project;

·      The Project is Critical to European critical mineral security, with proven mining and straightforward processing methods and, once in operation, will be a significant source of lithium carbonate outside China;

·      Demand growth for lithium is expected to be strong and funding for high-quality resource projects delivering production of this metal is likely to be available. The Project has the potential to become a top-tier lithium carbonate producer within the EU and provide a strategically certain supply of lithium carbonate to gigafactories and OEM automotive suppliers all located within the European jurisdiction, which is expected to attract a range of financiers and partners;

·      Economic viability at this early stage of the Project, in a range of scenarios, has been demonstrated by strong free cashflow and a capital investment payback period of 7 years as outlined in the Feasibility Study.

·      Vulcan Energy has recently completed a fund raising for a lithium battery metal project of similar size and with a similar NPV and was able to attract a debt package of €1,185m (A$2,116m) in senior debt funding by a syndicate of 13 financial institutions comprising the European Investment Bank, five Export Credit Agencies and seven commercial banks. 

·      Vulcan Energy also raised:

                                (1)           €204m in German government grants

                (2)           €150m equity investment in Vulcan's primary German holding subsidiary, Vulcan Energie Ressourcen GmbH (GermanSubCo), by the KfW Raw Materials Fund (KfW) to acquire a 14% interest in GermanSubCo

                (3)           €133m investment by a consortium of strategic investors comprising HOCHTIEF, Siemens Financial Services and Demeter to acquire a 15% equity interest in the Phase One Lionheart project entity With HOCHTIEF and Siemen being involved in the construction and development of the Project.

·      Additional EU-level grant funding

·      Strategic debt facilities from European Investment Bank (EIB), Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) and other supranational lenders

·      Access to Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA)-backed financing mechanisms

·      Czech co-funding structures and regional development incentives

·      Formal engagement with commercial lenders

·      Due diligence by commercial lenders, EIB, ECAs and other supranational lenders

·      Evaluation of strategic partners for equity and project-level funding

·      Financial structuring scenarios that optimise cost of capital

·      Major Czech and European battery manufacturers

·      Cathode active material producers

·      Automotive OEMs

·      Binding term sheets

·      Volumetric commitments

·      Multi-year supply agreements

·      Technical qualification programmes

·      Submission of the Unified EIA

·      Finalisation of land-use and construction permits for all sites

·      Finalisation of water, waste, air, and operational approvals

·      Ongoing Natura 2000 and Protected Landscape Area consultations

·      Completion of front-end engineering and design (FEED) (including contract for EPCM partner)

·      Early works packages (clearing, utilities, geotechnical groundwork)

·      Contractor prequalification

·      Detailed project execution modelling

·      Completion of full financing package

1.     Underground mine and associated surface infrastructure at a portal site, located close to Cinovec village on the Czechia / German border.

2.     Aerial Conveyor System (ACS) ore transportation link running approximately 7.3km between the mine portal and an ore transfer station located at Dukla.

3.     Transfer station located at the Dukla industrial site where ore is transferred from the ACS to rail and tailings material from the processing plant, destined for backfill into the mine, is transferred to the ACS to be returned to the backfill paste plant at the mine portal.

4.     Rail link running 65 km between the transfer station and the processing plant.

5.     The processing plant at Prunerov.

6.     Tailings disposal site located on previously mined land at the Doly Nástup Tušimice coal mine (DNT) approximately 7.5km (via road) to the east of the processing plant.

·      Mining construction, engineering and existing heavy industrial infrastructure and skills base experience.

·      Strong rail, road, water and energy infrastructure.

·      Proximity to major EV and battery manufacturing projects in Germany and Central and Eastern Europe.

·      Supportive state and municipal frameworks, with the Czech Republic designating Cinovec as a Strategic Deposit.

·      EU-level support through the CRMA, recognising Cinovec as a Strategic Project[4].

Figure 4: Cinovec's key project components

·      Broad lateral continuity

·      Significant thicknesses (commonly 20-100 m)

·      Predictable mineralogical behaviour

·      Favourable geotechnical conditions for large-scale underground mining

Figure 5: Longitudinal Section across the Cínovec deposit

·      Real-world geotechnical validation

·      Empirical data for rock-mass behaviour

·      Proven suitability of Sub-Level Open Stoping (SLOS)

·      Define metallurgical domains

·      Predict flotation and LCP response

·      Support recovery assumptions across the mine life

·      Historical drilling

·      Extensive new drilling by European Metals

·      Underground sampling from historical workings

·      8.5 tonnes of bulk metallurgical samples for FECAB testwork and LCP pilot campaigns

Figure 6: Locations of the drilling at Cinovec on aerial map

·      748 Mt @ 0.19% Li

·      Containing 7.45 Mt LCE

A substantial portion is classified as Measured or Indicated, supporting DFS-level mining and processing assumptions.

 

 

 

Cinovec Summary of JORC Reserves and JORC Resources

 

 

Category

Gross

Net Attributable to EMH

Operator

Tonnes

(mt)

Grade

(% Li)

Contained Li metal (t)

Tonnes

(mt)

Grade

(% Li)

Contained Li metal (t)

Reserves








Proven

14.5

0.28

41,000

7.1

0.28

19,900

Geomet s.r.o.

Probable

39.9

0.26

104,000

19.6

0.26

50,800

Geomet s.r.o.

Total Reserves

54.4

0.27

145,000

26.7

0.27

70,700


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resources








Measured

59.82

0.210

126,000

29.3

0.210

61,600

Geomet s.r.o.

Indicated

378.23

0.192

726,000

185.3

0.192

355,800

Geomet s.r.o.

Inferred

309.49

0.176

545,000

151.7

0.176

266,900

Geomet s.r.o.

Total Resources1

747.54

0.187

1,397,000

366.3

0.187

684,300


Note 1: Total Resources are reported inclusive of Reserves.

Definitions

 


Indicated Mineral Resource

The part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape, and physical characteristics are sufficiently well established to allow for a reasonable level of confidence in the estimate, but not as high as for Measured Resources.

Inferred Mineral Resource

The part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling, resulting in a lower level of confidence.

Li

Lithium

Measured Mineral Resource

The part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape, and physical characteristics are so well established that they can be estimated with confidence sufficient to allow for detailed mine planning.

Mineral Resource Estimate/MRE

The estimate of mineral resources as calculated and presented in accordance with a minerals code or standard

Mineral Resource

A concentration or occurrence of solid material of economic interest in or on the earth's crust in such form, grade (or quality), and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade (or quality), continuity and other geological characteristics of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge, including sampling. Mineral Resources are sub-divided, in order of increasing geological confidence, into Inferred, Indicated and Measured categories

mt

million tonnes

Ore Reserve

The economically mineable portion of a Mineral Resource, defined by detailed mine planning, applying modifying factors that demonstrate technical, economic, and regulatory viability.

Proven Reserves

The highest confidence category of Ore Reserves, based on detailed and reliable information, where geological continuity and modifying factors are well established.

Probable Reserves

The Ore Reserve category with lower confidence than Proven, derived from Indicated Resources where geological and economic factors are reasonably assumed but not fully confirmed.

t

tonnes

·      Geotechnical constraints

·      Mining method and design envelopes

·      Mining modifying factors

·      Metallurgical recoveries

·      Economic cut-off grade modelling

·      Mineralogy, lithology and liberation properties

·      Comminution characteristics

·      Flotation separation efficiency in terms of concentrate grade and lithium recoveries

·      Dewatering of concentrates and tailings

·      LCP extraction efficiency

·      Impurity deportment characteristics

·      Orebody geometry: Cinovec's thick, laterally continuous greisen zones are highly suited to bulk, long-hole stoping.

·      Rock mass competency: Laboratory and in situ testing confirm favourable rock-mass conditions.

·      Historical mine performance: Previous workings used variants of sub-level stoping with strong stability outcomes.

·      Productivity & cost: SLOS achieves the required mining rate of ~3.2 Mtpa at competitive operating cost.

·      Paste-fill compatibility: Large voids created by SLOS can be safely backfilled, enabling high extraction and geotechnical stability.

 

 

 

 

Figure 7: Underground Infrastructure - Looking North-Northeast

·      Stope height: 20 m

·      Stope width: 16 m

·      Stope length: Up to 50 m

·      Mining blocks: Four stopes vertically × five stopes horizontally, forming 80 × 80 m blocks

·      Rib pillars: 10 m

·      Sill pillars: 6 m (11 m total with ore access drives)

Figure 8: Nominal Sub-Level Stope Block & Pillar Arrangement

·      Height: 7 m

·      Application: Flatter or thinner ore zones

·      Outcome: Increased recovery of marginal domains without compromising safety

·      One decline dedicated to vehicle access, services, water, power distribution, ventilation intake

·      One decline dedicated to the conveyor, forming the mine's primary materials handling backbone

Figure 9: Twin decline system

·      Spiral ramps accessing multiple mining horizons

·      Ore drives positioned on sub-levels

·      Cross-cuts enabling multiple operating fronts

·      Ventilation raises and emergency egress

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 10: Access ramps / Drives and LHOS / Rib Pillar Ore Drives

·      Maintain statutory airflow

·      Control dust and diesel particulates

·      Provide redundancy for fan outages

·      Operate under varying seasonal temperature conditions

·      Early development ore for commissioning

·      Ramp-up to full production over multiple years

·      Steady-state ore production: ~3.2 Mtpa

·      Multiple mining fronts to maintain schedule resilience

·      Optimised sequencing for geotechnical stability and paste-fill curing

·      Blend of tailings, cement and water

·      Engineered to achieve required strength and curing performance

·      Returned underground via the rail and subsequently via the aerial conveyor system

·      Maximises ore extraction

·      Minimises surface tailings footprint

·      Enhances ground stability

·      Reduces long-term geotechnical risk

·      Reduced truck traffic

·      Lower diesel consumption

·      Reduced dust and noise

·      More consistent feed to the Aerial Conveyor System

Figure 11: Underground Crushing Arrangement within Crushing Chambers

·      Designed for operation in snow, ice and high winds

·      Tower spacing optimised for topography and visual impact

·      Low-noise drive systems

·      Enclosed belt structure to minimise dust

·      Passive and active environmental controls

·      Eliminates heavy trucking through local villages

·      Reduces emissions and traffic congestion

·      Minimises ground disturbance

·      Aligns with Natura 2000 and Protected Landscape Area constraints

 

 

Figure 12: Aerial Conveyor example

·      Large Run of Mine (ROM) and tailings stockpiles

·      Bucket-wheel reclaimer for consistent blending

·      Rail loadout system sized for the Prunéřov processing rate

·      Tailings reception system feeding the Aerial Conveyor System (ACS)

·      Water and utility infrastructure

 

·      Low emissions

·      Predictable year-round operation

·      Quiet and low-impact compared to road haulage

·      Leverages established Czech rail infrastructure

Figure 13: Plan view of the Dukla site

A aerial view of a factory AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Figure 14: Aerial view of Dukla

·      Underground crushing (<83 mm)

·      Surface tertiary crushing and screening

·      Rod milling to achieve optimal liberation with minimal slimes, and classification

·      Desliming to prepare feed for flotation

·      Rougher flotation

·      Two stages of cleaning flotation

·      Scavenger flotation stages to optimise recovery

·      Concentrate thickening and filtration

·      Tailings thickening and filtration

·      Flotation has high selectivity for Zinnwaldite, hence efficient concentration

·      Consistent high purity concentrate grades: >1.44% Li

·      Concentrate mass yields of 17-20% (in terms of ROM) realising a 5 times mass reduction

·      Stable FECAB lithium recoveries: >89%

A plant factory with many barrels AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Figure 15: Flotation Process

 

·      Mixing of concentrate with simple roast reagents gypsum, limestone, recycled alkali sulphates

·      Pellet extrusion, roasting for 1 hour at 925°C and water leach at 60°C

·      Impurity removal steps - transition metals, calcium

·      Lithium phosphate precipitation and dissolution to give lithium sulphate solution

·      Glauber's salt crystallisation to give minor by-product stream and alkali sulphates to recycle to roast

 

 

·      Crude lithium precipitation

·      Bicarbonation and micronisation to give battery-grade lithium carbonate

·      Consistent battery grade lithium carbonate meeting current international standards

·      Stable LCP lithium recoveries: ~91%

·      Reliable performance across metallurgical domains

A aerial view of a factory

Figure 16: Aerial View of the Processing plant complex at Prunerov

Figure 17: LCP - Rotary Kilns

·      WHIMS performance declines with fines (<150 µm)

·      Overall recovery improves with flotation-only flowsheets

·      Simpler flowsheet reduces CAPEX and OPEX

·      Dewatered to specification

·      Stockpiled at Prunéřov

·      Fed directly into the LCP roasting step

 

 

 

 

 

A diagram of a diagram AI-generated content may be incorrect.

 

Figure 18: Overall Process Schematic

·      Czech national and regional environmental laws

·      EU CRMA

·      International Finance Corporation Performance Standards

·      Equator Principles

·      EBRD Environmental & Social Guidelines

·      Underground mine

·      Aerial Conveyor System

·      Dukla materials handling and rail hub

·      Prunéřov FECAB and LCP complexes

·      DNT tailings and backfill facility

·      Air quality & dust modelling

·      Noise & vibration modelling

·      Visual and landscape assessments

·      Biodiversity surveys and habitat mapping

·      Water quality modelling

·      Groundwater interactions

·      Waste, effluent and spill management plans

·      Natura 2000 compliance assessment

·      Natura 2000 sites (protected habitats under EU law)

·      Spa-regions with protected water resources

·      Landscapes under conservation designation

·      No surface mining

·      Minimised land clearing and disturbed footprint

·      ACS alignment refined to avoid harm to protected zones

·      Enclosed conveyor system to eliminate dust and reduce noise

·      Wildlife movement corridors maintained

·      Detailed flora and fauna baseline surveys completed

·      Low-noise conveyor drives

·      Acoustic shielding

·      Rail-loadout timing restrictions (if required)

·      Minimal interaction between mine voids and regional aquifers

·      Water balance managed through closed-loop systems

·      Non-contact water diverted away from operational areas

·      Lined systems at Dukla, Prunéřov and DNT to control seepage

·      Treatment plants comply with Czech water discharge standards

·      17 municipalities

·      Spa-town authorities (Teplice, Dubí)

·      Regional Ústí nad Labem authorities

·      National ministries (Industry & Trade, Environment, Transport, Finance)

·      Local community representatives

·      Environmental groups

·      Transport and infrastructure agencies

·      Route optimisation for ACS to avoid sensitive viewpoints

·      Traffic minimisation through elimination of ore haulage trucks

·      Information centres and consultation sessions

·      Integration of local employment and supply-chain development plans

·      Elimination of diesel truck haulage

·      Rail-based logistics

·      Underground crushing and conveying

·      Ability to utilise increasing Czech grid renewable penetration

·      Energy-efficient roasting and drying systems

·      Waste heat recovery opportunities

·      A Strategic Project under the EU CRMA

·      A Strategic Deposit under Czech law

1.     Unified EIA approval

2.     Land-use and zoning confirmations

3.     Construction permits (mine, ACS, Dukla, Prunéřov, DNT)

4.     Mining licence and extraction permit

5.     Rail-loading and transport licences

6.     Air, water, and waste management permits

7.     Operational safety approvals

·      Approval for up to EUR 360m from the Czech Government, representing up to 26% of eligible capital costs.

·      US$36m grant from the EU JTF, targeted toward regional economic transformation.

·      EIB

·      ECAs

·      European Commission's Innovation Fund

·      Accelerated permitting timelines

·      Access to strategic funding structures

·      Priority regulatory processing

·      Enhanced visibility among EU industry and policy groups

·      Recognition as a project of "strategic importance for green transition"

·      Technical risks

·      Schedule risks

·      Market risks

·      Environmental and permitting risks

·      Operational readiness

·      Supply chain and workforce availability

·      Staged procurement planning

·      Early works design packages

·      All-season construction methodologies

·      Redundancy in critical equipment

·      Conservative ramp-up modelling

·      Pre-tax NPV (8%): US$1.7156bn (Post-tax NPV: US$1.135bn) (inclusive of approved Grants)

·      Pre-tax IRR: 15.2% (Post-tax IRR: 13.2%)

·      Payback period: ~7 years starting from production start date

·      LOM Revenue: US$22.610bn

·      LOM C1 Costs: US$12,492/t Li₂CO₃

·      LOM AISC: US$13,673/t Li₂CO₃

·      Initial CAPEX US$2.164bn; Sustaining CAPEX US$0.498bn (inclusive of contingency) but excluding Grants (Initial CAPEX US$1.72bn net of Approved Grants)

·      Underground mine development

·      ACS construction and instrumentation

·      Dukla foundations, stockpiling and rail-loadout infrastructure

·      FECAB plant build at Prunéřov

·      LCP construction

·      DNT facility earthworks, lining, pumping and monitoring

·      Power, water, gas and access infrastructure

·      Owner's costs, EPCM (engineering, procurement and construction management), spares, commissioning and contingency

·      Mine production and maintenance

·      Paste-fill operations

·      ACS power consumption

·      Rail logistics

·      FECAB reagent and comminution costs

·      LCP roasting, leaching and purification reagents

·      Labour, utilities, and general and administrative costs

·      Short logistics distances

·      Efficient rail utilisation

·      No truck haulage

·      Use of existing industrial land at Prunéřov

·      Stable power and water costs in Czech Republic

·      European battery manufacturers

·      Cathode producers

·      Automotive OEMs

·      EU institutions offering strategic debt

·      ECAs

·      Commercial banks

·      Potential strategic equity partners

·      Government-backed lending instruments

·      Minimise schedule risk

·      Enable early works to accelerate project readiness

·      Align commissioning across multiple sites

·      Utilise regional contractors familiar with industrial builds

1.     Underground Mine Development

Advance declines and establish the primary conveyor drive chambers

Install early ventilation infrastructure

Develop initial stoping panels for commissioning ore

 

2.     Aerial Conveyor System (ACS) Construction

Tower-by-tower foundation installation

Cable-stringing and mechanical installation

Winterisation and all-weather performance validation

 

3.     Dukla Hub Construction

Groundworks and utility relocation (including gas pipeline adjustments)

ROM pad creation and reclaimer installation

Rail siding and loadout system construction

 

4.     Prunéřov Beneficiation (FECAB) & LCP Construction

Site clearing and regrading

Shared utilities build-out

Sequential construction of FECAB followed by LCP

Integrated commissioning plan

 

5.     DNT Tailings Facility Preparation

Void shaping and lining

Construction of return-water, drainage and monitoring systems

Paste-fill distribution lines

·      Long-lead items (kilns, mills, flotation cells, crystallisers) prioritised for early commitment

·      Modularisation of key structures to speed on-site assembly

·      Local Czech contractors used for civil works, electrical, mechanical installation and site utilities

·      Competitive tendering across all major plant packages

·      Framework agreements for reagents, maintenance consumables and spare parts

·      Required workforce of ~1,200 direct construction jobs

·      ~700 operational roles across mining, processing, logistics, laboratory, maintenance and administration

·      Targeted hiring from local municipalities

·      Specialist training programmes for LCP operations

·      Partnerships with regional technical universities and vocational schools

·      Commissioning of FECAB to deliver consistent concentrate feed

·      Stepwise activation of LCP roasting, leaching, purification and crystallisation circuits

·      Achievement of design throughput over a multi-year ramp-up period

·      Multi-front mining approach ensuring reliable feed to processing operations

·      Conservative equipment sizing and redundancy

·      Detailed geotechnical modelling

·      Advanced ACS climatic modelling (icing, snow load, wind)

·      Multisource power stability analysis

·      Supply-chain redundancy for critical reagents

·      Construction season planning for winter conditions

·      Flexible scheduling to accommodate EIA timing risks

·      Scale and longevity

·      Robust economics

·      Proximity to EU gigafactories

·      Vertically integrated design

·      Strong government and regulatory support

·      Advanced off-take and funding discussions

 

The summary of the DFS is contained in the following link: http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/3250M_1-2025-12-19.pdf

 

The full JORC table can be accessed through the following link: http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/3250M_2-2025-12-19.pdf

ENDS

This announcement has been approved for release by the Board.

 

CONTACT

 

For further information on this update or the Company generally, please visit our website at www.europeanmet.com or see full contact details at the end of this release.

ENQUIRIES:                                                                                             

 

Tel: +61 (0) 419 996 333

Email: keith@europeanmet.com

 

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7440 0647

 

Tel: +61 8 6245 2050

Email: cosec@europeanmet.com

 

 

 

BlytheRay (Financial PR)

Tim Blythe

Megan Ray

 

Chapter 1 Advisors (Financial PR - Aus)

David Tasker

 

Tel: +61 (0) 433 112 936



 

 

 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON CEZ

 

DFS Cautionary Statement

 

 

COMPETENT PERSONS AND QUALIFIED PERSON FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE AIM NOTE FOR MINING AND OIL & GAS COMPANIES

The information that relates to production targets for the Cinovec Lithium Project is based on information compiled by Mr Graeme Fulton, a Competent Person who is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy. Mr Fulton is an Employee of Bara Consulting who are a consultant to the Company. Mr Fulton does not own any shares, options / performance rights in the Company and is not a participant in the Company's short or long-term incentive plan. Mr Fulton has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves'. Mr Fulton consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

 

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

LITHIUM CLASSIFICATION AND CONVERSION FACTORS

 

Table: Conversion Factors for Lithium Compounds and Minerals

 

 



[1] https://miningdigital.com/news/evs-batteries-how-much-lithium-is-needed-to-decarbonise

[2] https://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2025/electric-vehicle-batteries  / https://gycxsolar.com/understanding-lithium-content-in-a-1-kwh-battery-benefits-for-stackable-lithium-batteries-systems/#How_Much_Lithium_Is_There

[3] ASX/ AIM releases dated 28 April 2025 and 28 November 2025

[4] See ASX/AIM Announcement dated 26 March 2025

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