Viridis awards first equipment contract for Colossus in Brazil

Viridis Mining and Minerals has awarded its first major equipment contract for the Colossus Rare Earth Project located in Minas Gerais, Brazil. After a 12-month tender and technical evaluation process, Dewater Filter Press has been selected to supply the residue pressure filtration package. The contract encompasses design, manufacture, fabrication, testing, and delivery of the filtration system, which will aid in the solid-liquid separation of processed clay during the rehabilitation phase.

Dewater Filter Press was chosen based on successful tests using Colossus residue, which determined the optimal equipment sizing and operating parameters, along with guarantees for throughput and residue moisture levels. This filtration system is a crucial long-lead procurement component for the Colossus processing facility, which is projected to handle five million tonnes annually.

Manufacture of the equipment is anticipated to take around 12 months, aligning with the overall construction and commissioning schedule. The company recently finalized a definitive feasibility study (DFS) for Colossus, indicating that project execution is now underway. Viridis' managing director, Rafael Moreno, emphasized that securing the first major process equipment order for Colossus signifies a significant step towards transitioning from development to execution.

The company's focus now lies on maintaining progress as EPCM and critical path packages are committed to meet the 2028 production target, positioning Viridis as a leading Western producer of light and high-value heavy rare earth minerals.