Highfield Resources has signed a purchase contract for important components of the process plant in order to finalise the pre–construction activities at the flagship Muga potash mine situated some 50 km to the south east of Pamplona in Spain, which is being developed by subsidiary Geoalcali. Following a recent A$18.1 million capital raise, the company adds that it is well funded to finalise the purchase contracts of the remaining long-lead items. And with the signing of this purchase contract, 85% of the planned equipment needed for the plant has now been contracted.

Weir Minerals is providing both primary and secondary concentrate screens which will be used for the granulometric separation in the initial phase of the crushing, grinding and desliming processes. The hydrocyclones from Weir will be used to remove the fine particles from the slurry (desliming) prior to flotation.

The remaining 15%, which includes cross-flow separators, dryers, thickeners and flotation columns, is expected to be formalised in the next few weeks. The rest of equipment, mainly mining equipment, will be acquired prior to start of operations. Completion of the procurement of the process plant equipment is key to allow improvements in the detailed engineering design of the plant with the design of the specific equipment used. In addition, it allows Highfield to cover the long lead manufacturing times of this type of equipment.

Highfield Resources CEO, Ignacio Salazar, said: “The signing of this supply contract with Weir Minerals is key to ensure that we are ready for construction. This is another important milestone for Highfield and continues to highlight the progress and commitment of the company to the efficient construction of Muga.”