Viridis Mining Awards Initial Process Equipment Contract for Colossus Rare Earth Project in Brazil

Viridis Mining and Minerals has issued its first major equipment contract for the Colossus Rare Earth Project located in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.

Following a year-long competitive tender and technical evaluation process, the company has chosen Dewater Filter Press to deliver the residue pressure filtration package.

The agreement covers the design, manufacture, fabrication, testing, and supply of a filtration system designed to manage solid-liquid separation of processed clay prior to its return to the mine as part of site rehabilitation activities.

According to Viridis, Dewater was selected after dedicated testing using actual Colossus material, which validated the appropriate equipment sizing and operating parameters.

These trials also supported the establishment of contractual performance guarantees related to throughput and final residue moisture content.

The filtration system represents a critical long-lead procurement item for the Colossus processing facility, which is designed with an annual capacity of five million tonnes.

Manufacturing of the equipment is anticipated to require approximately 12 months, with delivery scheduled to align with the broader construction and commissioning timeline.

The company recently finalized a definitive feasibility study (DFS) for Colossus and states that this new order, together with the previously awarded 138kV grid connection contract, indicates that project execution has officially commenced.

Viridis Managing Director Rafael Moreno commented: “The placement of our first major process equipment order for Colossus marks another significant milestone as we transition from development into execution.

“Following the completion of the DFS and with our equity funding requirement now secured, our focus is squarely on sustaining momentum through the start of EPCM [engineering, procurement and construction management] activities and the progressive commitment of critical-path packages needed to safeguard our targeted 2028 production schedule, positioning Viridis as the next significant Western producer of both light and high-value heavy rare earth elements.”

Viridis has structured the order with staged payment milestones and a contractual hold point prior to a final investment decision, with the objective of limiting financial exposure before making a full commitment to the project.

The company reports that it has secured adequate equity funding sources to cover the required equity component of its planned project financing.

The Colossus project is aiming for first rare earth production in 2028 and encompasses a combined area of 228.62 square kilometers within and surrounding the Poços de Caldas Alkaline Complex.

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