Kennecott’s New Tellurium Recovery Plant Points to Metal’s Growing Importance

Rhea-AI Summary

First Tellurium Corp. announces that Rio Tinto Kennecott has initiated tellurium processing at its Bingham Canyon Copper Mine, making it one of only two U.S. producers of this critical metal. The new recovery circuit is expected to yield approximately 20 tons of tellurium annually, representing 4% of global production. Demand for tellurium is projected to grow at 5.5% per year, driven by its applications in photovoltaic solar panels. First Tellurium is focused on its Deer Horn and Klondike Projects to meet this rising demand.

Positive

• Rio Tinto Kennecott's processing facility enhances domestic tellurium supply.
• Annual production capacity of approximately 20 tons bolsters U.S. critical mineral needs.
• Rising tellurium demand at 5.5% per year aligns with green technology growth.

Negative

• First Solar's projected demand could exceed last year's global tellurium production by up to 70%, straining the market.

Now one of only two U.S. producers of tellurium, with demand growing at 5.5% annually

Vancouver, BC, Canada, June 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Tellurium Corp. (CSE: FTEL) (the “Company” or “First Tellurium”), reports that Rio Tinto Kennecott has begun processing tellurium at its Bingham Canyon Copper Mine near Salt Lake City, Utah. As a result, Kennecott is now one of only two U.S. producers of tellurium. The recently-completed, $2.9 million recovery circuit will produce approximately 20 tons of tellurium annually, or about 4% of global annual production estimated at 580 tonnes.

“Kennecott’s Utah project reinforces our premise that tellurium’s importance is growing and growing quickly,” said FTEL’s CEO Tyrone Docherty. “With tellurium on both the U.S. and Europe’s lists of critical metals, we continue to field inquiries about the tellurium at our Deer Horn Project in British Columbia and Klondike Project in Colorado, especially from end users.”

The Deer Horn Project, located south of Smithers, holds one of the world’s few 43-101-compliant resources of tellurium. The Klondike Project was held originally by First Solar, one of the world’s largest solar panel manufacturers, as a potential primary tellurium source for its cadmium-telluride (CdTe) solar panels.

Docherty added that, according to Maia Research, tellurium usage is growing at a 5.5% annual rate. “Nearly all tellurium currently comes from copper mining,” said Docherty. “End users don’t like being dependent on the copper market for supply. Big consumers like First Solar would love to source primary supplies like we have in both BC and Colorado.”

Gaby Poirier, managing director at Rio Tinto Kennecott, noted: "Tellurium is critical to our mission for powering a sustainable future for Kennecott, for Utah, for the United States. It's a key material in the manufacturing of advanced thin-film photovoltaic solar panels, a clean energy source that is powering more and more communities in this country and around the world."

Kennecott reported that the recovered tellurium will be refined in North America by 5N Plus. The refined tellurium will be supplied to Arizona-based First Solar Inc., the lone American company amongst the world’s ten largest solar panel firms.

Advanced thin-film, cadmium telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic are highly efficient, rapidly manufactured and lower-cost when compared with conventional silicon-based panels.

A recent article by S&P Global Intelligence noted that First Solar's plan to spend $1.36 billion to increase module capacity to 16 GW by 2024 seems certain to strain the tellurium market. If First Solar achieves its goals, its annual demand for the mineral will exceed last year's estimated global tellurium production by up to 70%, according to researchers at the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

Considering that First Solar’s growth represents only one stream of tellurium demand, such as next-generation lithium-tellurium batteries being developed by Fenix Advanced Materials of British Columbia, new sources of tellurium, particularly in North America, are becoming essential. “With our two North American properties, we believe we can help meet this demand,” said Docherty. “Our strategic partnership with Fenix was formed with this goal in mind.”

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox was on hand at the Kennecott opening to usher in what he described as "a very important step in helping Utah and the United States supply our own critical mineral needs."

Early in 2022, President Biden invoked the Defense Production Act to boost domestic supplies of critical minerals. By producing tellurium, said Governor Cox, Rio Tinto Kennecott is helping to bolster national security by decreasing U.S. dependence on foreign countries like China for critical mineral production.

“The importance of tellurium is only growing,” Rio Tinto reported on May 11. “From its improved extraction process to its impact on the economy and national security, the many applications of tellurium render it a critical element and important for us to invest in responsibly.”

About First Tellurium Corp.
First Tellurium Corp explores and develops tellurium projects in North America. As the world pushes ahead to develop green technologies, tellurium will continue to experience increasing demand.

Our polymetallic (tellurium, gold, silver copper, tungsten) Deer Horn Project in British Columbia and Klondike tellurium-gold property in Colorado anchor a diversified search for metals, working in alliance with Indigenous peoples, NGOs, governments and leading metals buyers.

On behalf of the board of directors of First Tellurium Corp. “Tyrone Docherty”                         Tyrone Docherty President and CEO	For further information please contact: Tyrone Docherty 604.789.5653 tyrone@firsttellurium.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulations services accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking information
All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by the Company based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond the Company’s control. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date hereof or revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated event.

FAQ

What recent developments have occurred for GODYF regarding tellurium production?

Rio Tinto Kennecott has started processing tellurium at its Bingham Canyon Copper Mine, now making it one of only two U.S. producers.

How much tellurium will Rio Tinto Kennecott produce annually?

The new recovery circuit will produce approximately 20 tons of tellurium annually.

What is the expected growth rate for tellurium demand?

Tellurium demand is expected to grow at an annual rate of 5.5%.

How does First Tellurium plan to meet rising tellurium demand?

First Tellurium is focused on its Deer Horn and Klondike Projects to supply tellurium.

What impact could First Solar's growth have on the tellurium market?

First Solar's increase in module capacity could lead to demand exceeding last year's total tellurium production by up to 70%.