EMP METALS - PROJECT AURORA LITHIUM DEMONSTRATION PLANT CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Executive Summary

• EMP Metals reports that construction of the 8,400 sq‑ft lithium demonstration plant (Project Aurora) at its Viewfield site in Saskatchewan is on schedule for completion in early November 2025.
• Interior finishing and building work are underway; electrical installation will commence in the New Year, and equipment skids are being fabricated off‑site with expected shipment to the site in Q1 2026.
• The demo plant will serve as a testbed for a modular “Hub and Spoke” direct lithium extraction system, with Saltworks Technologies slated to develop full‑scale design and cost estimates for a future 3,000+ t/yr commercial refinery.

Key Details

• Construction of the production facility began in mid‑September 2025.
• Building completion is targeted for early November 2025; electrical work will start in the New Year (2026).
• Production equipment skids are being built at Saltworks Technologies Inc.’s Richmond, BC facility and are expected to ship to the Viewfield site in Q1 2026.
• Project Aurora aims to demonstrate a well‑head connected, continuous‑flow, modular lithium extraction and refining model that reduces costs and de‑risks future scale‑up.
• Saltworks will use data from the demo plant to advance design and cost estimates for a 3,000+ t/yr commercial refinery for EMP Metals.
• COO Paul Schubach emphasized focus on high‑quality, cost‑effective construction with integrated environmental controls to ensure successful operation.

Notable Quotes

“We are pleased with the progress on the building and site development for our demonstration plant at our core Viewfield site… We are on schedule to hit our construction milestones in preparation to receive processing equipment in early 2026.” – Paul Schubach, COO, EMP Metals