Speciality Metals International Limited Annual Report 2020

6 Speciality Metals International Limited Annual Report 2020 Operating and Financial Review continued Retreatment Plant Activities During the 2020 financial year, the Mt Carbine Retreatment Plant was overhauled and refurbished, enabling the production ramp-up and optimisation phase to commence. Capital expenditure of approximately $1.5 million was directed towards upgrades, improvements and modifications which were identified by the production and technical team as being necessary for process design and for increased operational efficiencies. Improvements in the process design included the installation of an additional re-crushing and wet screening stage to achieve higher mineral liberation and better tungsten recovery. The newly installed wet screen and secondary rolls crushers were commissioned during quarter ended June 2020 (refer to ASX announcement Mt Carbine Retreatment Plant Commissioning and X-Ray Sorter Installation Update released on 8 April 2020). A summary of the major plant refurbishments during the 2020 financial year are set out below: − changeout of all pumps on the plant for new Warman and Scat pumps; − installation of high wearing pipelines; − installation of additional wet screen and secondary rolls crushers; − installation of higher wearing impellers into the slurry pumps; and − purchase of a large impact crusher to increase head feed throughput tonnages (scheduled for installation in the quarter following FY2020). Retreatment Plant Tonnes 0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 FEB MAR APR MAY AUG JUL JUN Percentage 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% FEB MAR APR MAY AUG JUL JUN Head Feed Throughout Average Run Time %