EMP METALS ADVANCES CONSTRUCTION OF PROJECT AURORA DEMONSTRATION PLANT BY COMPLETING INTERIOR FINISHING

Executive Summary

• EMP Metals completed interior finishing of the building that will house its Project Aurora lithium demonstration plant, bringing the structure to a “ready for equipment” state.
• Process‑equipment fabrication and pre‑commissioning are advancing on schedule at Saltworks Technologies, with the Gen‑II Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) system progressing toward installation.
• The company remains on track to start up the wellhead‑connected lithium extraction facility in Saskatchewan in Q2 2026.

Key Details

• Building structure is now complete, insulated, and metal‑cladded on both exterior and interior; lighting and cable runs are being installed per General Arrangement Drawings.
• Interior finishing work enables receipt of process equipment and further fit‑out of functional areas.
• Saltworks Technologies in Richmond, BC continues to build the Gen‑II DLE system for Project Aurora; pre‑commissioning has begun on completed skids.
• COO Paul Schubach confirmed that construction and equipment commissioning remain on schedule, targeting a Q2 2026 start‑up of the demonstration plant.
• Project Aurora aims to demonstrate a modular “hub‑and‑spoke” lithium extraction model, with data feeding design and cost estimates for a future 3,000+ tpy commercial refinery.
• The joint initiative between EMP Metals and Saltworks will leverage the demo plant to de‑risk further investments and drive down costs.

Notable Quotes

“Progress continues to remain on schedule at the Aurora Demonstration Plant site in Saskatchewan, as well as with the surface refining equipment build and commissioning activities at Saltworks. We remain on pace to start up one of the first direct well‑head‑connected lithium extraction facilities in Saskatchewan in Q2.” – Paul Schubach, COO, EMP Metals.