Lion One Metals (TSXV: LIO; US-OTCQX: LOMLF) has approved a $1.14 million investment to purchase and install an evaporator system at its Tuvatu Alkaline gold project in Fiji. The company announced the decision on Thursday, stating the system is intended to manage excess process water in the mine’s tailings storage facility (TSF) and is expected to be operational by late April or early May 2026.

Environmental and Regulatory Considerations

According to Campbell Olsen, CEO of Lion One Metals, the investment is a permanent solution to the company’s water management challenges and delivers an excellent environmental outcome. Olsen noted that the evaporator is a more economical and timely solution compared to alternatives such as reverse osmosis and enhanced evaporation technologies.

The company evaluated various water-management options and selected the evaporator after detailed engineering and commercial assessments. Key factors in the decision included the system’s ability to avoid discharging process water into the Sabeto River, a shorter deployment timeline, and lower comparative costs. Lion One emphasized that the evaporator removes regulatory risk entirely, a critical concern for the company.

Lion One plans to include an optional acoustic silencer, priced at approximately $190,000, to allow for 24-hour operation if required. The firm stated that the total capital commitment covers the evaporator, a dedicated generator set, and ancillary equipment.

Water Management Challenges at Tuvatu

Company documents indicate that the mine’s treatment plant can reduce copper levels to acceptable standards but that other parameters, such as total dissolved solids (TDS), remain above thresholds for river discharge. During periods of heavy rainfall, excess treated water is currently pumped to the TSF, where there is no engineered mechanism other than natural evaporation to remove it.

Lion One described the evaporator as a permanent infrastructure measure intended to maintain safe TSF operating levels and reduce regulatory and timeline risks associated with alternatives such as river discharge permits and rental solutions. The company stated that the evaporator system will provide a more sustainable and efficient way to manage excess water compared to existing methods.

The decision to install the evaporator follows a thorough review of water management options. The company evaluated the feasibility of other technologies, including reverse osmosis and enhanced evaporation systems, but concluded that the evaporator offers the most viable solution for the project’s specific needs.

Forward-Looking Implications

Lion One’s move to implement the evaporator system is expected to have long-term implications for the Tuvatu Alkaline gold project. The company highlighted that the system will not only address immediate water management concerns but also support the project’s environmental compliance and operational efficiency.

Environmental experts have noted that such infrastructure investments are becoming increasingly common in the mining sector as companies seek to mitigate the environmental impact of their operations. The use of evaporators, in particular, is gaining traction as a cost-effective and efficient method for managing excess water in tailings storage facilities.

According to industry reports, the global water treatment market is projected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by increasing regulatory requirements and a growing emphasis on environmental sustainability. Lion One’s investment aligns with these trends and highlights the company’s commitment to responsible mining practices.

The project’s timeline for the evaporator system is set for late April or early May 2026. Officials at Lion One emphasized that the system will be fully integrated into the mine’s operations and will be monitored closely to ensure its effectiveness in managing excess water and reducing environmental impact.

With the installation of the evaporator, Lion One aims to set a precedent for other mining operations facing similar water management challenges. The company’s decision highlights the importance of investing in sustainable and innovative solutions to address environmental and regulatory concerns in the mining industry.