A prefeasibility study on the plant was completed at the end of 2009, through a coordinated effort with mineral adviser Venmyn Rand and input from several independent specialist consultants.
The site, planned to start production in 2012 woiuld produce 60kt/y of aluminum fluoride. Aluminum fluoride is used as an accelerator in the aluminium smelting process and is not currently produced in South Africa
Sephaku Holdings CEO Neil Crafford-Lazarus said that the combination of local aluminium fluoride production and economy of the supply would allow Sephaku to be one of the lowest cost suppliers of aluminium fluoride in the market.
The company expects demand from aluminium fluoride to come from domestic aluminium smelters and planned nuclear enrichment facilities, as well as from the international market.
Source www.miningweekly.com