Orbite Aluminae Inc. (TSX:ORT) ("Orbite" or the "Company") has announced the successful conclusion of its Cap-Chat pilot phase and has thus ended pilot operations in order to launch the plant's conversion to commercial-scale production of high-purity alumina (HPA). The Company plans on producing one tonne of high-purity alumina per day when production begins in 2012, increasing to up to five tonnes per day in 2013.
The basic engineering phase for the high-purity alumina plant has been finalized with the assistance of large national and international engineering firms, while the detailed engineering phase is progressing according to the set timetable. Orbite expects to commission the Cap-Chat high-purity alumina plant by the end of 2012 and is targeting a gradual ramp-up of capacity.
"Basic engineering, an important milestone that includes the high-purity alumina concept design and equipment specifications, has been successfully completed," stated Denis Primeau, Chief Engineer for Orbite. "Detailed engineering involving the final sizing of all equipment and the completion of project details related to construction (including permits) is progressing rapidly and on schedule. The Orbite engineering team, along with national and international partners, is working diligently to meet the set milestones for commissioning."
The Orbite Cap-Chat pilot plant was successfully completed on time and on budget and has enabled the Company to produce alumina and other value added oxides through its proprietary process for extracting alumina from aluminous clays.
In order to complete the conversion and ensure a safe transition, the Company today proceeded with the temporary layoff of 14 workers, while maintaining a staff of 17 permanent employees on site. As the operations of the new high-purity alumina plant get underway, the Company will reassess its personnel needs and hire accordingly.
High demand for high-purity alumina (99.99%+)
High-purity alumina (99.99%+), a specialty alumina with superior quality compared to metallurgical alumina, is widely used in several high-tech and industrial applications. It is estimated that half of the world's annual production of high-purity alumina is used in the manufacture of synthetic sapphire used in fiber optics as well as in LED lighting for the home and the automotive industry. It is also used in the production of high-pressure sodium vapour lamp tubes, the manufacture of video and computer equipment, and for metallographic polishing and the polishing of optic and electronic materials.
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