OREANDA-NEWS. July 27, 2016. CH2M is pleased to announce that is has been selected by Crystal Peak Minerals Inc. (“Crystal Peak”) to complete a feasibility study and NI 43-101 technical report for Crystal Peak’s premium specialty fertilizer project on the Sevier Playa in southwestern Utah, US. CH2M will serve as the lead feasibility study consultant and will be responsible for coordinating the overall delivery of the study.

CH2M’s scope of work includes the development of an NI43-101 technical report that will build on the results of CH2M’s 2013 preliminary feasibility study and on the already completed feasibility study fieldwork. Also working with CH2M on the project are Norwest Corporation (“Norwest”), and Novopro Projects (“Novopro”).

Crystal Peak is currently engaged in engineering and analysis designed to support the feasibility study, environmental and other permitting, and ultimately mineral production of a specialty fertilizer made from potassium sulfate through the use of a cost-effective solar evaporation process. Potassium sulfate and other specialty fertilizers are used in the production of high value, chloride-sensitive crops such as fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts.

"We are very pleased with the team we have put together to deliver our feasibility study,” said Lance D'Ambrosio, Chief Executive Officer of Crystal Peak. “The fieldwork portion was very encouraging so we look forward to optimizing our project, delivering a great study, and creating real value for our shareholders.”

The feasibility study scope of work is designed to support project financing and will be organized around three primary work areas;

  • Playa: Mining plan including extraction trenches and wells, and the water recharge system
  • Process facilities: Process ponds and product refinery from salt harvest to load out, warehouse, administration, and process yard facilities; and
  • Infrastructure: Power, gas, water, communication, access roads, and load-out facility

The feasibility study will include early work to evaluate opportunities for project optimization with the potential to improve project economics. These options include evaluating associated minerals such as lithium compounds, optimizing the mine plan, and improving process design and other elements to reduce or defer capital costs and to accelerate time-to-production.

CH2M and Norwest, an internationally recognized leader in providing consulting expertise to the energy, mining, and natural resources industries, will be responsible for the design, engineering, and cost estimation of the Playa and Infrastructure areas. Both companies have supported Crystal Peak continuously since the inception of the project and will provide the expertise and continuity required for successful delivery of their scope areas.

Novopro will be responsible for evaporation pond, and process plant design and preliminary engineering. Novopro is a project development and implementation company servicing the mining and metallurgical industries.