WINTER 2014 ELKO DAILY FREE PRESS, Elko, Nevada • 85
“The state has an opportunity to capture the innovation and invention that is taking place across the lithium sector, and our demonstration plant is the next step to establish new technology and to create another significant new business in Nevada.”
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Jay Chmelauskas, Westerner Lithium CEO
Tesla... Continued from 84 than five years. As most in the mining corridor already know, it takes time and money to develop a mine site. According to figures previously released by Western Lithium, initial startup capital – with contingency fund – had an estimated price tag of $248 million. During that five-year time period, year after year, the market moved closer to having a meaningful use for new lithium supplies, and the announcement from Tesla was just one example of that. “It’s all very positive, and it supports the whole theme that we’ve invested our time and efforts on,” Chmelauskas said. The U.S. has been somewhat slow to warm up to the concept of electric cars, mostly due to the expense of the vehicles when compared to other options, while China set a goal of being the world leader in electric cars some years back and the demand for lithium remains in Asia. However, at Western Lithium they remained confident the tipping point would come when more general users of automobiles would look toward having an electric vehicle or hybrid, and that day appears to be coming sooner rather than later. Chmelauskas points out that sales of electric and hybrid cars are up and even VFW is looking to get into the game.
More important than the news Tesla was building a battery plant in Nevada was the message for potential investors that developing a lithium mine site in rural Nevada was a positive move Chmelauskas said the company remained confident the investment community would wake up to the possibilities and come back to lithium as a good investment opportunity. In order to increase investor confidence and knowledge, Western Lithium spent the last two years building a demonstration plant in Germany. Last year was spent in design and this year they purchased the equipment. The project is nearing completion and may be ready as soon as fall 2014. The demonstration plant is exactly what it sounds like: a large-scale demonstration of the extraction process, which allows potential investors to see the process. The company holds a US Patent for the process. Chmelauskas said the plant will help investors feel comfortable that this is where they want to invest for the next generation of lithium supply. “The state has an opportunity to capture the innovation and invention that is taking place across the lithium sector, and our demonstration plant is the next step to establish new technology and to create another significant new business in Nevada,” he said.
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Fire Creek goes 2 years with no lost time accidents CRESCENT VALLEY — Klondex Mines Ltd. reported Thursday its Fire Creek project completed two years with no lost time accidents. “I am extremely proud of the team at Fire Creek for their commitment to safety,” Klondex President and CEO Paul Huet said. “On the heels of being named the safest small underground mine in Nevada by the Nevada Mining Association earlier this fall, Fire Creek has now completed two years with no LTAs. It takes an outstanding team to achieve this significant milestone. I couldn’t be more proud of all of those involved.” Klondex owns Fire Creek and the Midas
Mine in northwestern Elko County, near the town of Midas. Midas is fully-permitted and has been in operation since 1998. Fire Creek is located about 100 miles south of Midas and is operating an ongoing bulk sampling program that began in 2013. All major infrastructure is in place at Fire Creek.
For over 50 years Newmont Mining Corporation has supported the local communities of Northern Nevada, employing more than 3,500 professionals. Our dedication to safety, stewardship of the environment and support of our local communities is helping Newmont become the most valued and respected mining company through industry leading performance. www.newmont.com