Atlas Lithium Corporation (NASDAQ: ATLX) announced the engagement of Alfa Engenharia as the electromechanical assembly contractor for its Neves Project lithium processing plant. The company said its lithium processing plant, manufactured in South Africa, has been transported to Brazil.

Atlas Lithium selected Alfa through a competitive procurement process based on the firm's experience in large-scale industrial and mineral processing projects. The contract was finalized at or below budget projections outlined in the company's Definitive Feasibility Study, according to the announcement.

Alfa's scope of work includes complete assembly of the processing plant from crushing systems through final product processing and dispatch. The contract also covers installation of mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and automation systems required for plant operations.

According to the Definitive Feasibility Study, the Neves Project is expected to produce approximately 146,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate annually at an estimated operating cost of $489 per tonne at the mine gate. The company noted that lithium concentrate has recently achieved prices above $2,500 per tonne.

"The engagement of Alfa Engenharia builds directly on the momentum established last month with the contracting of Promon Engenharia, TSX Engineering, Cerne Construções, and RETC Infraestrutura," said Eduardo Queiroz, PMO and Vice President of Engineering at Atlas Lithium.

Atlas Lithium said it continues to finalize selection of remaining operational partners as it advances the Neves Project toward full implementation. The company owns approximately 557 square kilometers of lithium mineral rights in Brazil and holds about 21% ownership in Atlas Critical Minerals Corporation (NASDAQ: ATCX).