KEY POINTS
- Viridis placed its first major Colossus equipment order.
- Dewater will supply the filtration system.
- Production remains targeted for 2028.
Viridis Mining & Minerals has placed its first major equipment order for the Colossus rare earths project in Brazil, marking a major step towards the planned 2028 start of production. The ASX-listed rare earths company has awarded a contract to Dewater Filter Press for a residue pressure filtration package.
The equipment will separate solids from liquids during processing before the residue is returned to the mine site for rehabilitation. The order covers the design, manufacture, fabrication, testing and supply of the filtration system.
Viridis selected Dewater following a 12-month competitive tender and technical evaluation involving major global filtration suppliers.
Testing using Colossus residue confirmed the equipment size and operating requirements, allowing the company to secure performance guarantees for throughput and final residue moisture.
The filtration package is considered a major long-lead item and sits on the project’s critical path. Manufacturing is expected to take about 12 months.
Viridis said placing the order early will secure production capacity and allow engineering and fabrication to begin while keeping major capital spending limited ahead of a final investment decision.
The equipment order follows the previously awarded contract for a 138 kV grid connection.
Viridis said the two contracts demonstrate that project execution is now advancing and that Colossus remains on track to begin production in 2028.
The company expects the project to become an important potential source of heavy rare earths as governments and customers seek to diversify supply chains away from China.
Viridis managing director Rafael Moreno said Colossus is progressing at a time when large-scale heavy rare earth production outside China remains limited.
He said the project’s development could position Viridis among a small group of emerging producers capable of supplying significant volumes of heavy rare earths to global markets.
The company believes this could become increasingly important as countries prioritise secure and diversified critical-mineral supply chains.
