First Cobalt Corp. announced positive results from an independent feasibility study conducted on its permitted cobalt refinery in Ontario, Canada. The study contemplates expanding the existing facility and adapting it to be North Americas first producer of cobalt sulfate, an essential component in the manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles.

The feasibility study demonstrates that the First Cobalt Refinery project can become a viable, globally competitive player in the North American and European electric vehicle (EV) supply chain. The study reinforces the strength of First Cobalts business strategy for a rapidly evolving EV market that is heavily dependent on supply from China.

This is an important milestone in our efforts to disrupt the existing cobalt supply chain. The study shows strong asset-level economics that position the refinery to be competitive globally and provide attractive investment returns. The outlook for electric vehicles and the push by automakers to develop shorter supply chains creates an excellent opportunity. With most of the worlds cobalt refining capacity located in China, there is strong demand for a North American alternative. Our focus will now turn to working with Glencore, our strategic partner, on implementing a new, ethical and transparent supply chain.

Trent Mell, First Cobalt President & CEO

Highlights of the study results include:

Annual production of 25,000 tonnes of battery-grade cobalt sulfate from third party feed, representing 5% of the total global refined cobalt market and 100% of North American cobalt sulfate supply.

Initial capital estimate of $56 million and an operating cost estimate of $2.72/lb of cobalt produced, which is competitive with global markets.

$37 million in undiscounted pre-tax free cashflow to the project forecasted during the first full year of production.

$139 million after-tax net present value (NPV) using an 8% discount and 53% after-tax internal rate of return (IRR), representing a payback period of only 1.8 years.

Discussions underway with Glencore on commercial arrangements, financing and allocation of project economics; third party and government funding opportunities also under review.

Several EV manufacturers have expressed an interest in purchasing a North American cobalt sulfate.

Several opportunities will be evaluated over the coming months that could enhance project economics further, including alternative approaches to managing elevated sodium concentrations prior to returning process water to the environment.

Prefeasibility-level study also completed on an early ramp-up scenario using existing permits and equipment to conduct trial runs processing a different type of feedstock.

Cobalt market. According to a report commissioned from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, there are currently no plans to commission new cobalt refineries outside of China other than First Cobalts. They also note that most automotive companies outside of China are interested in sourcing cobalt sulfate closer to their manufacturing facilities or from suppliers located outside of China.

Other key findings in the Benchmark Mineral Intelligence report are as follows:

China now accounts for approximately 79% of the worlds refined cobalt sulfate production and this is projected to increase further.

Cobalt demand from nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) batteries used in EVs will increase from approximately 20,000 tonnes in 2019 to over 730,000 tonnes in 2040.

Average payability over the last two years for cobalt hydroxide feed material has been at 68% of the average of the low of the monthly Metal Bulletin Low Grade Cobalt price.

Long term cobalt price forecast is approximately $59,100 per tonne or $26.81 per pound.

Benchmark notes that demand for cobalt in lithium-ion batteries will dominate all other demand categories and forecasts a structural deficit within the next five years.

Project overview. The First Cobalt Refinery is a hydrometallurgical cobalt refinery located north of Toronto, Canada. The facility was permitted in 1996 with a nominal throughput of 12 tonnes per day (tpd) and operated intermittently until 2015, producing a cobalt carbonate product along with nickel carbonate and silver precipitate. The facility is located on 120 acres, with two settling ponds and an autoclave pond. The current footprint also includes a large warehouse building that once housed a conventional mill.

Testing of third-party cobalt hydroxide in 2019 using the refinery flow sheet confirmed suitability of cobalt hydroxide as a source of feed to produce a high purity, battery-grade cobalt sulfate.

In July 2019, First Cobalt and Glencore AG agreed to a partnership framework providing for a non-dilutive, fully funded, phased approach to recommission the refinery. Subject to certain conditions, including the completion of a positive feasibility study and agreement upon commercial terms, the framework agreement contemplates that First Cobalt will treat cobalt feed material supplied from Glencores DRC operations for an initial term of up to 4 years on a tolling basis, with Glencore providing up to 100% of the capital required to recommission and expand the facility. The objective is to produce approximately 25,000 tonnes of cobalt sulfate per annum for the electric vehicle market.

Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc. completed two studies in support of this strategic partnership:

A prefeasibility study on an interim recommissioning of the Refinery by late 2020 or early 2021 using exiting permits and equipment to qualify a cobalt sulfate product with end-users; and

A feasibility study on an expansion scenario to 55 tpd nameplate capacity, targeted for commissioning in Q4 2021.

The strategic objective of the partners is to achieve 5,000 tonnes per annum of cobalt production (55 tpd nameplate, 50 tpd average), which would account for approximately 5% of the current global refined cobalt market and an even larger share of the cobalt sulfate chemical market.

In conjunction with the feasibility study, discussions have been ongoing with potential automotive offtake partners as well as several lenders interested in providing a portion of the capital cost along with Glencore.

The feasibility study assessed the project economics of the refinery on a stand-alone basis, assuming a 70% payability factor on the cobalt content of a cobalt hydroxide feed source based on expert forecasts for future payability levels (todays spot payability is 62-65%).

In order to secure the capital required and a reliable feed source, First Cobalt and Glencore will use the results of this study to negotiate terms of a two- to five-year tolling agreement and financing arrangement. As such, the cash flow generated from the refinery will be shared between the parties and remains subject to ongoing discussions.

Refinery design. The First Cobalt Refinery sits on a 40-acre land package and includes the refinery building complex, one tailings pond (the Autoclave Pond) and two water treatment ponds (the Upper and Lower ponds). The main refinery gallery in the building complex houses the pressure oxidation circuit, solvent extraction circuit (SX), product filtration and a control room. The main building also includes a laboratory, administrative offices and changerooms. Other structures attached to the main gallery include a warehouse which previously housed a conventional milling circuit, a Merrill-Crowe building, a mechanical shop and a High-Density Sludge (HDS) building. There is also an external tank farm located along the north side of the complex. The feasibility study criteria were to make the best use of existing infrastructure while keeping as much as possible within the current footprint.

The proposed new layout adds two new simple engineered structures to the main complex; one for tailings belt filters and the other for crystallization and product bagging. A new external building is also contemplated to house an expanded SX circuit and sodium management infrastructure. Other changes to the site layout include additional tankage for reagent storage in the tank farm area and improvements to the ring-road around the refinery to accommodate transport trucks.

An 80-acre property located to the north is owned by First Cobalt and it will be the location of a new dry stacked tailings management facility. Tailings from the process are a gypsum that can be readily dewatered and stacked for permanent dry storage. First Cobalt has the advantage that the field to the north is underlain by more than 6 metres of clay, some of which will be excavated to increase storage capacity, with the excavated clay being reused to construct the new tailings storage facility and permanently rehabilitate the Autoclave pond and the new tailings facility at end of Project. Only half of the field to the north is planned for the new tailings management facility, which will have approximately 17 years of storage capacity. The other half of the field remains available to be developed as additional storage for an additional 17 years of operation. The existing Upper Pond will be expanded to collect surface water from freshet and summer storm events for safe return to the environment.

Retrofitting of the existing buildings and equipment, new construction and installation of new equipment is expected to take approximately 12 months.

Cobalt hydroxide feed is expected to arrive at the Port of Montreal via ocean freight where it will be transferred onto rail cars to be delivered to a siding on the Ontario Northland railway in Cobalt, Ontario. The Ontario Northland rail line passes 2 km west of the Refinery Road. Hydroxide feed will be trucked from the rail siding to the Refinery and refined cobalt sulfate product will be backhauled to the siding for reloading onto rail cars for shipment to end markets.

Process and metallurgy. Cobalt hydroxide feed material will arrive in bulk bags and be unloaded into the refinery warehouse. The bulk bags will be lifted with the refinerys overhead crane, where the bags will be emptied into a re-pulping system. The slurry is then pumped to a leach circuit where it is leached with sulfuric acid under atmospheric conditions.

Slurry exiting the leach tanks is pumped to the neutralization circuit where limestone is added in order to raise the pH and precipitate impurities such as iron. To minimize downstream scaling, the slurry is cooled to 30-35C in a cooling tower which reduces soluble gypsum content. The precipitated solids are removed through thickening and filtration.

Prior to solvent extraction (SX), the solution is re-heated to raise gypsum solubility and prevent subsequent precipitation in the mixer settlers. The first SX circuit is Impurity SX (ISX), targeting the removal of impurities such as manganese, copper, zinc, calcium, and iron. The extraction raffinate after this step primarily contains cobalt, with nickel and magnesium present as impurities. The strip liquor reports to effluent treatment, where the impurities are precipitated and removed from solution prior to discharge.

The second SX circuit is Cobalt SX (CoSX) which loads cobalt onto the organic solvent while any residual impurities remain in the aqueous phase. The cobalt-loaded organic then proceeds to the scrubbing mixer-settlers where the pH is adjusted to remove impurities such as magnesium and nickel that were loaded in the extraction stage. The scrubbed organic goes to a final stripping stage where the pH is lowered to bring the cobalt out of the organic phase and into the aqueous strip liquor stream. Once filtered to remove entrained organic, the strip liquor enters the crystallization step.

The filtered strip liquor is pumped to a mechanical vapor re-compression forced circulation crystallizer. The crystallizer functions by evaporating water using steam in a heat exchanger, supersaturating the cobalt-rich strip liquor and causing crystallization to occur. The bleed stream of cobalt sulfate crystals reports to a thickener and centrifuge for dewatering. Together they separate the solid and liquid components of the slurry, producing a dewatered product at

Water management. Process water from the refinery will be treated to a level that meets or exceeds regulatory requirements before being returned to the environment. Environmental testing and design by First Cobalts consultants have devised a treatment process to ensure that the return of process water to the environment is done in a compliant and environmentally friendly manner. Broadly speaking, there are two main criteria that must be met before water can be discharged. First, metals and other elements as prescribed cannot exceed predetermined thresholds. Second, the water being discharged should not be acutely toxic to aquatic life.

Owing to the use of sodium hydroxide in the process flowsheet that has been designed, effluent from the refining process would have an elevated concentration of sodium. There are no federal or provincial discharge limits nor surface water quality objectives or guidelines for sodium. However, it was determined that the amount of sodium in the effluent could be toxic to aquatic life. In order to satisfy the requirements of a feasibility level study, the study contemplates installing an established technological solution of evaporation and crystallization to remove sodium content.

The evaporation and crystallization technology is proven to be effective for removing sodium from the effluent but it is more expensive than other alternatives. In this process, the effluent stream is first concentrated by evaporation to reduce the volume reporting to the crystallizer. The resulting brine is then fed to a sodium crystallizer in which a crystalline sodium sulfate product is formed. This crystalline product is sent for offsite disposal.

First Cobalt identified a number of other solutions for managing the sodium that could significantly reduce capital and operating costs, including substituting sodium-based reagents for alternatives not containing sodium, making process changes or implementing other management solutions to reduce the sodium concentration in the effluent. Due to time constraints, Ausenco recommended that the study incorporate a well-established treatment process and that alternatives be more fully assessed over the next few months.

The capital cost for the selected method is $9.4 million representing almost 17% of the total capital cost. The operating cost associated with the selected method is $0.85/lb Co produced representing 31% of the total operating cost. First Cobalt and its consultants believe that there is significant opportunity in other sodium management methods that were reviewed but not in sufficient detail to be incorporated into this feasibility study.

Next steps. First Cobalt expects to continue to advance and de-risk the project in 2020 by pursuing the following activities:

Completing the three scoping studies to help identify the best path forward to recommission the refinery using existing permits.

Assess other sodium management technologies and options that could significantly reduce capital and operating costs.

Advance discussion with Glencore on commercial terms for a toll-treatment arrangement and financing alternatives.

Advance funding discussions with third parties and government agencies.

Continue to work with Glencore to advance long term offtake discussions.

Advance environmental approval activities to shorten timeline for regulatory approvals.

Target completion of a development plan within the next 90 days.

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First Cobalt announces positive feasibility results for Canadian cobalt refinery expansion; first NA producer of battery-grade cobalt sulfate - Green...

When Eric and Michele Starkloff asked architect Chris Sanders of Sanders Architecture to transform the dingy apartment space on the edge of their North University property into a fully functioning poolside entertainment area, he was able to deliver the ultimate hangout spot in less than 400 square feet.

The backyard already featured a large pool that the homeowners had built just a few years before, as well as a garage with two deteriorating accessory dwelling units above it, which faced the couples driveway instead of the pool. We had a tough time even envisioning if [what we wanted] was possible, Eric says. The Starkloffs desired a cabana that walked the line of modernism but still respected the Colonial Revival style of the main house, which was built in the mid-1920s.

From the start, the architect and his team were met with design difficulties. Although the ADUs were built in the 1990s, they were made to match the homes 20s-style architecture, so it took peeling back layers of construction to realize the units were as new as they were, Sanders says. And while he had built cabanas before, this one was unique because its located on a historic piece of property and utilized an existing building. With that in mind, Sanders began drafting a plan to revitalize the structure that would optimize verticality and provide plenty of functionality within a small footprint.

To maximize space, he created a tall ceiling for the loft (a prime spot for Eric and Micheles teenage daughters to host sleepovers) and installed plenty of windows for natural light.The Starkloff family did all of the interiors themselves, resulting in a minimalist look with a navy-painted kitchenette, a dining nook, a powder bath, brown-and-white tile, bohemian pillows, and plenty of greenery.

For builders Christian Bingham and David Wilkes of David Wilkes Builders, challenges came in the way of running new electrical wiring and also waterproofing, as the original pine-clad building had started to decay. They used HardiePlank, a low-maintenance siding, to give the cabana a shiplap look. Fitting everything into such a small space and making it work takes really great design, which Sanders brought to the table, and an extremely high level of detail, Wilkes says.

Since its completion, the cabana has become a place that the Starkloff family can escape to for any occasion. We just had a 50th birthday for a friend out there, Eric says. The large-screen TV in the cabana is angled, so you can watch it from inside or from the pool. Sanders adds: Its a tiny spaceonly about 350 square feetso we designed everything to be able to co-exist. It can go from being a kids space to somewhere for parties and family get-togethers,so everything had to be buttoned up and serve a variety of functions.

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This Garage Apartment Was Converted Into a Backyard Cabana - Austin Monthly

KEARNEY Kearney High School teacher Jeff Shield no longer is able to go into work at his office every day.

But he doesnt spend his workday at home. Instead, you will find him working on a house in northwest Kearney from 8 to 4 every day.

KHS students started working on the structure at 4706 16th Ave. Place at the beginning of the school year, as they do every year for the construction technology class that Shield teaches.

The class covers building a house from the ground up, according to Shield. They start erecting walls in the basement once the foundation is set, they set the roof trusses, and they do nearly everything else in between, aside from the plumbing, electrical and HVAC work.

However, this year, the students arent able to put the finishing touches on the house with in-person classes canceled due to the pandemic. So, Shield is doing the rest of that work himself, which is a first in his 28 years of teaching the class. He estimates that the students had finished about 75 percent of the work.

I can only think of one year in the past that I had to go in and spend any amount of extra time doing it, he said. And it wasnt weeks like Im doing now; it was just a weeks time. We were working and I just knew we were behind, so I just hopped in so I knew we would be able to complete on time.

Of course, he still is keeping the students in the loop as to what is happening at the house. Even though the hands-on portion of the course is impossible, the students still are learning.

Shield will video himself doing a project, like installing kitchen backsplash, and then send it out to his class. Typically, hell accompany the video with a worksheet to fill out or an article to read.

Most of what is left to teach, and to do, is the finishing work.

The students got to learn the majority of the curriculum, what I want them to know, Shield said. Theyre just missing out on some of the final things, a little bit of tiling, setting countertops, going through, getting all those little dings and touch-ups that really finish up the house.

This week, bricklayers were working on the stone accents on the front of the house. Next week, Shield will be working on the deck in the backyard.

In addition to the professional contractors, Shield has gotten help from his father and 23-year-old son, Spencer.

Shield and his father, Tom, a now-retired KHS math teacher, were working Wednesday on the basement window wells. Though the construction tech houses dont have finished basements, all the framework is done. The downstairs, according to Shield, is where the students get to learn how to hang drywall and use mud and tape on the walls, and then upstairs professionals handle the mudding and taping.

While professionals do step in for some work, Shield said he lets the students take ownership of the project.

I tell the kids at the beginning of the year that this is their project, not mine. Its not for me to build, its for them to build and learn, said Shield.

At the end of the year, the class hosts an open house. Shield says its an opportunity for the students to celebrate their year of hard work and show off the house to their parents, siblings, grandparents and friends.

This year, its likely the open house wont happen.

Thats one of the disappointing things with the whole coronavirus thing: The students arent going to be able to see the finished product, Shield said.

Just like every year, though, the work the students have done has been remarkable.

KHS has a long history of building high-quality houses, as the program is now in its 45th year. Shield estimated there only may be about half a dozen other schools in the state that have a class like it.

While some schools tend to take on smaller projects, the 22-30 students in the class each year tackle a three-bedroom, ranch-style house with a full basement.

Shield picks out the floor plan every year, usually sticking with a house plan that has about 1,800 square feet upstairs.

This years house is 1,695 square feet, and its listed for $294,000.

Once the house is sold, the money goes into an activity fund, which pays for the materials and land for future houses.

Outside, dark gray siding is accented by professionally laid stone for eye-catching curb appeal. The inside has plenty of upscale touches, as well.

The bright white kitchen has wood flooring and a blue-gray tile backsplash. From the dining area beside it, the future owners will be able to look out to where the deck will be, once Shield finishes it next week.

Touches in the living room include a fireplace and a sliding barn door that leads to the laundry room. White balusters contrast the dark, natural top rail that sections off the stairs to the basement.

The contrast continues throughout the upstairs as dark hardware, like door handles and drawer pulls, accent the white doors for a slightly modern-farmhouse vibe.

This years craftsmanship is typical. For the past 28 years, Shield said, people always have been impressed with the high school students work.

Ive always had good reactions to our houses and the quality of product that we put out, and the fit and finish that the students can do, he said. They cant believe that high school kids can do something like this.

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Students won't be able to finish the KHS construction tech house this year, but their teacher is making sure the work gets done - Kearney Hub

Design-build construction firm Ramtech Building Systems has announced that the company has initiated the process of installing the nine modular sections which will make up a 7,168 square foot expansion of the passenger terminal at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in Panama City Beach, Florida. The Type II all steel modular building will be connected to the existing terminal with a site-built corridor and will provide two additional gates that will be completed during the summer.

MANSFIELD, Texas (PRWEB) April 22, 2020

Design-build construction firm Ramtech Building Systems has announced that the company has initiated the process of installing the nine modular sections which will make up a 7,168 square foot expansion of the passenger terminal at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in Panama City Beach, Florida. The permanent modular building will be connected to the existing terminal with a site-built corridor and will provide two additional gates that will be completed during the summer.

Ramtech is working as a subcontractor to Allstate Construction of Tallahassee, Florida, the general contractor on the project. Ramtech's scope of work comprises core and shell manufacturing of the Type II-b all steel modular sections, the installation of the building, and the finish-out of the exterior. Using permanent modular construction, the modular sections will include the exterior walls with 24-gauge steel high-rib R-Panel siding, all door and window assemblies, interior walls with un-finished gypsum board and required shear walls, perimeter steel frame floor, and the EPDM roof assembly. Ramtech will also provide for the exterior wall and floor penetrations that are required for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. The nine modular sections, manufactured in three sizes for the building configuration, will be installed and welded to a poured-in-place concrete pier foundation system.

The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, located 18 miles northwest of Panama City, opened for commercial flights in May 2010. The airport, located in Bay County on 4,000 acres, is owned by the Panama City-Bay County Airport & Industrial District and is serviced with daily flights by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. The expansion of the terminal is part of a $10.5 million grant from the FAA to improve and expand their facilities. The airport's 105,000 square foot terminal currently has five gates with jet bridges, and two gates with ramp level access for regional aircraft. The new modular building will incorporate gates 6 and 7 to increase passenger capacity while adding additional seating space. Ramtech expects to have the building installed and weathered-in in under one week, while completing their additional scopes of work prior to the end of May.

About Ramtech and Modular Construction

Since 1982 Ramtech Building Systems has been providing innovative relocatable modular buildings and two types of permanent modular construction for commercial companies, educational institutions, government agencies, and healthcare providers throughout the Southern United States. As a vertically integrated design-build construction company, Ramtech provides full in-house design, a manufacturer direct product, and complete site construction services all within a single-source solution. Ramtech can offer facilities built using permanent modular construction on both a pier and beam or concrete slab foundation. Both options combine the best of off-site manufacturing and on-site construction techniques to produce a building faster and with less cost, but identical in the look, functionality, and life expectancy of a completely site-built structure. By emphasizing a value engineering approach, Ramtech has successfully completed over 4,000 diverse projects of all sizes. For more information, visit the company's website at RamtechModular.com.

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Ramtech Begins Modular Building Installation for the Terminal Expansion at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport - Benzinga

The Department of Health and Human Services, under the leadership of Secretary Azar, continues to lead on a number of the Presidents priorities. Any speculation about personnel is irresponsible and a distraction from our whole-of-government response to COVID-19, said deputy press Secretary Judd Deere in a statement Saturday.

An HHS spokesperson said that "Secretary Azar is busy responding to a global, public health crisis and doesn't have time for palace intrigue," and that he had not had any recent discussions about the possibility of his departure.

Nonetheless, White House aides have been frustrated with Azars management style since late last year when a feud with Verma broke into the open, a feeling that has only increased during the coronavirus crisis. But they have been worried about replacing the HHS secretary in the middle of a global pandemic.

Such a move, some officials said, could fuel the perception of President Donald Trumps response as chaotic and give ammunition to Trumps critics, who have said that the Azar-led response to Covid-19 fell short during January and February. Trump and Azar have insisted that the administration took all necessary steps to prepare for the outbreak, disputing criticism as fake news.

However, the HHS secretary has few allies in the West Wing, and his role has diminished after Trump abruptly removed Azar as the head of the coronavirus response and replaced him with Pence at the end of February. White House officials have had previous conversations about replacing Azar in recent months, although the current discussions are more serious in the wake of increasing frustrations with Azars handling of internal matters, including the circumstances surrounding Brights removal, said two people familiar with those conversations.

White House coronavirus coordinator Deborah Birx. | Alex Brandon/AP Photo

Meanwhile, Azars potential replacements are on much stronger footing. Birx has won over Trump and secured allies in the White House for her blend of scientific acumen and soft-touch diplomacy. Verma whose own job status was shaky as recently as December amid her feud with Azar has seen her star rise during the pandemic, with a series of swift actions to boost telemedicine and loosen regulations, along with other moves that have earned bipartisan applause.

Hargan, who led HHS as acting secretary between October 2017 and January 2018 after Trumps first HHS chief, Tom Price, resigned after a controversy over his use of private aircraft, has had a much less visible role. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows spoke with Hargan this week, though their conversation did not involve any discussion of a potential job change, said one administration official.

Three officials pointed to Azars handling of Bright, the ousted vaccine expert, as an example of his tumultuous leadership of HHS. Those officials said Azar assured the White House that Bright had been promoted to a new job at NIH when, in fact, Bright had been demoted from his position leading the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.

Pence and other aides left the coronavirus task force meeting only to later learn Bright did not view his job change in the same way and would be filing a whistleblower complaint to outline the retaliatory treatment to which [Bright] was subjected by HHS political leadership after raising appropriate science-based concerns about White House pressure on treatment and vaccines related to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Brights lawyers.

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It was a different story than the one Azar had just presented in the meeting, and the latest blow to Azar's standing in the White House.

In a statement, HHS characterized Bright's move as a transferring of "the skills he has applied" at BARDA to the NIH, "as part of a bold plan to accelerate the development and employment of novel point-of-care testing platforms."

Since being replaced as head of the coronavirus response on Feb. 26, Azar has made few appearances at daily press briefings on the coronavirus fight even as deputies like top infectious disease doctor Anthony Fauci routinely accompany Trump and provide public updates.

The past few weeks, meanwhile, have arguably marked the most difficult stretch of Azar's tenure in the Trump administration. A series of reports critical of Trump's leadership of the coronavirus response angered White House aides over their portrayal of Azar in a more positive light, and prompted a public public rebuttal from the president. Days later, the White House installed former Trump campaign aide Michael Caputo as HHS' top spokesperson in a move widely seen as an effort to exert more control over the health department's activities.

Azar's chief of staff and trusted aide, Brian Harrison, came under renewed fire this week over his role in steering the day-to-day coronavirus response early on. Administration officials have also recently discussed firing Harrison, who has long been hampered by detractors within the White House and across parts of HHS, two people familiar with the discussions said.

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White House weighing plan to replace Azar - POLITICO

Todays miter saws are a big improvement over the manual miter boxes of the 1960s.

Mitering is the process of fitting two boards together at an angle, so miter saws are commonly thought of as trim saws. If you do any type of trim work, the miter saw will be your most-used power tool.

That said, miter saws are invaluable for making other types of cross cuts as wellend cuts on hardwood flooring strips, for instance, or angle cuts on roof rafters.

Keep reading to learn more about this popular tool and to find out why weve chosen the following five as the best miter saw options for DIYers and pros.

All miter saws feature a circular blade encased in a swing arm that pivots from side to side to make cross cuts on narrow strips of wood (5- to 18-inches wide, depending on the saw). One size doesnt fit all, however, so your individual woodworking needs will determine which saw is right for you.

Your woodworking projects will determine the features youll need in a miter saw. Someone who only wants a miter saw to make crosscuts on wood flooring strips wont need the extra features a professional trim carpenter needs to install elaborate crown molding.

A 10-inch miter sawso-called because it has a 10-inch bladeis sufficient for cutting most types of trim boards and siding strips, which are typically less than 3/4-inches thick and 6-inches wide. If you want to cut thicker boards, such as 1.5-inch thick framing boards, consider getting the larger, 12-inch miter saw because the larger blade will cut through thicker boards more easily.

Until just a few years ago, all miter saws were corded, and most still are, featuring 10-, 12-, and 15-amp motors. The higher the amps, the more power the motor will have, but a 10-amp miter saw is sufficient for cutting most types of trim boards. The higher-amp motors are better at slicing through larger boards and they wont overheat as quickly with constant use. Cordless miter saws are the new kids on the block, and they typically operate on rechargeable 20-volt, lithium-ion batteries. Battery runtime depends on how often youre making cuts and how thick the wood is, but expect an average of 150 to 275 cuts on a single battery charge.

Some miter saws have laser guides that mark a red or green line across your wood where the blade will cut. This is a great feature for DIYers and beginners to ensure they have their board correctly positioned before cutting.

You can work up a sweat on a hot summer day, which can result in a slippery grip on a miter saw handle. Some manufacturers now offer padded non-slip grips to reduce hand fatigue and allow for a better grasp. Many miter saws still dont have them, but its a bonus when you can find one that does.

Miter saws tend to kick up sawdust, particularly when operated inside a workshop. To remedy this, two types of dust collection are available for miter saws. The first is a small bag designed to collect some of the dust that blows into it naturally as it comes off the blade. The second (and better) option is a dust collection port that connects to the hose of a shop-type vacuum.

If youre looking for a miter saw that does everythingand does it wellcheck out the DEWALT 12-Inch Double Bevel Sliding Miter Saw. The saw comes with a powerful 15-amp motor, and its sliding rails allow the user to cut a board up to 16-inches wide. With dual compound action, theres no need to turn a board over to cut an opposing angle, just tilt the spring arm in the other direction. The DEWALT miter saw also features a bright LED light that illuminates the cutting field so you can see exactly where youre cutting, and comes with a collection dust bag designed to catch up to 75percent of the dust it generates.

You can save money on a miter saw without giving up functionality. The affordable Metabo 12-Inch Dual Compound Miter Saw cuts bevels in both directions and comes with a powerful 15-amp motor to boot. Thanks to the laser feature, youll see the cutline on the board before you cut, which will reduce errors. The saw comes with an elastomer-coated handle designed to reduce vibration, hand fatigue, and hand slippage. This is a nice and unexpected feature on a more affordably priced saw.

If youre just starting in woodworking and wont be making particularly complex cuts, check out the Hitachi 10-Inch Single Compound Miter Saw. It features a single compound tilt for cutting bevels in one direction, and its 15-amp motor will supply plenty of cutting power. The Hitachi will cut boards up to 5.5-inches wide, and it comes with a padded ergonomic handle for reduced vibration. Beginners will appreciate the laser guidance for added accuracy.

For professional trim carpenters or picture-frame fabricators, the DEWALT FLEXVOLT Double Bevel Compound Sliding Miter Saw has it all. You can plug it into a standard electrical outlet or operate the saw on a FLEXVOLT 20V/60V MAX battery (sold separately), which means you can make the cuts you need even when an electrical outlet is not available. DEWALT claims this miter saw will make up to 310 cross cuts in base molding on a single battery charge. The saw features precision dual bevel cutting and sliding rails that allow the user to cut boards up to 16-inches wide.

For around-the-home trimming and crosscutting, youll get all the power and precision you need with the DEWALT 12-Inch Single Compound Miter Saw. It cuts boards up to 8-inches wide and cuts bevels in one direction. The DEWALT saw also comes with a vertical clamp to hold the board still as you cut, and it features a dust collection bag to help reduce the dust in the air. For safety, the saw also features a mechanism that automatically locks the spring arm in the down position unless its manually unlocked with a button on the back.

Read the original here:
5 Best Miter Saw Options for the Workshop - BobVila.com

Such is the distance of the quasar code-named PKS 2000-330 that the light picked up by the scientists at the CSIRO's radio telescope at Parkes, New South Wales, last week would have left the star-like object 20,000 million years ago.

Before this, the most distant object known was a quasar 15,500 million light years away, discovered by American scientists nine years ago.

Announcing the discovery yesterday, the Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Mr Thomson, said it opened a new debate on the extent and age of the universe and rekindled the controversy about the nature of quasars.

Quasars are the most distant and luminous bodies known. More than 200 have been discovered, but the source of their intense radiation remains unknown.

They have spectrums the wavelength of light with a big "red shift." The red shift is directly proportional to distance. The, farther the shift towards the longest (red) wavelength the farther the object is from Earth.

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For 10 years, scientists have been trying to discover an object with a red shift greater than 3.53, the measurement of a quasar found in 1972.

"The lack of success had led to the idea building up strongly that 3.5 represented the edge of the universe. The theory was developed more or less by default, as no one had managed to find a more distant object," says Dr David Jauncey, of the CSIRO division of radiophysics.

The quasar discovered last week has a red shift of 3.78. It was found by Dr Bruce Peterson (of the Mount Stromlo, ACT, and Siding Spring, NSW, observatories), Dr Ann Savage (of the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh) and Dr Jauncey and Dr Alan Wright of the CSIRO.

Dr Jauncey says the controversy referred to by Mr Thomson has been the question of whether the red shift is a true measure of the distance of a quasar. He says he and his colleagues have not merely found one object. "It's a big jump in the red shift, and we now believe we know how to find more of these quasars at this distance, if they exist," he says.

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The idea of a flat universe, an edge, has gone. "The earliest questions were: How big is the Earth? How big is the Sun? How big is the universe? We can perhaps measure all three now," he said last night.

But it would take a radio telescope perhaps as big as Australia, or the world, to determine accurate the size of "PKS 2000-330". Measurements of closer quasars indicated they had "central engines" the driving force a few light years across.

An accurate radio position of the newest quasar was determined using the Tidbinbilla radio interferometer near Canberra. The Siding Spring installation near Coonabarabran, in NSW, was used to identify the object.

Finally, another telescope at Siding Spring obtained a spectrum which proved that the quasar was farther away than other known objects within the universe.

Read more:
From the Archives, 1982: New star extends universe by 4500 million light years - Sydney Morning Herald

Gleaming porcelain tile in the foyer now offsets the black accents delivering a fresh, clean look. Even the doors on the three-car garage were changed. Terry replaced all three with a modern profile with four lights in each door (Protech Overhead Doors.)

The kitchen was the biggest nightmare in the renovation, by far. But it wasnt the structural surprises that caused it. It was a difficult contractor. A buddy had asked Terry if he could throw some work to a friend. Terry was aware of a previous job completed by this contractor and agreed.

He started and everything looked good in the beginning, says Terry. But then he stopped showing up for work. I tried to be patient. Id feed him money to move to the next step, hed come in for a few days then not show up again.

These delays upended Terrys entire timeline. The trim carpenters couldnt get their work done and each delay tumbled on down the line toppling everyones schedule. Electricians, plumbers, and installers all experienced setbacks. A renovation that was scheduled for 12 weeks now stretched into nine months, which meant that Terry had to move into the property mid-renovation, which he had not planned on doing.

Unfortunately, its a common scenario experienced by many homeowners. The difficult decision to cut your losses and move on weighs heavy. But Terry finally made the hard decision to fire him. We didnt even get all the materials we paid for, he says. He left me high and dry. Fortunately, Infinite Designs and Interiors came to the rescue and brought the kitchen renovation spectacularly to the finish line.

The curvy cabinets are now gone and two floor-to-ceiling banks of white and wood accented cabinets and drawers stock everything a gourmet chef could dream of. A four-seater kitchen island with quartz countertop acts as the sole division between the great room and kitchen now. Lit by round glass bowl pendants, the kitchen has become a focal point, not a hidden grotto.

Terry opted for high-end Thermador industrial appliances, with 6 burners on the range, a grill and two ovens, one steam, one convection, plus a warming tray and a 40-inch seamless hood over the range. A Miele built-in coffeemaker and 39 dB silent Bosch dishwasher fill out the equipment. You cant even hear that dishwasher, says Terry. You wouldnt know it was running unless you saw the light indicator on the floor. (TA Appliances sourced the appliances except for the range hood which came from Vancouver.)

With black fixtures and white walls in Sherwin Williams Eider White, using Benjamin Moore paint, the congested look is gone and the contemporary transformation, complete.

The basement, I didnt touch much, says Terry. That level was already an entertainers paradise with a games room with pool and foosball, wine room, lounge, wet bar, fitness area, office and extra bedroom and washroom perfect for teenagers. The only change made here was the addition of a home theatre, which Terry outfitted with lounges on risers for unobstructed viewing.

We had my daughters 25th birthday down there, says Terry. There were easily fifty people. The theme was drinks and food from around the world. We had stations all throughout the basement, the Mexico stand had margaritas and nacho dips. France had champagne and a cheese platter. Spain had tapas and sangria. For USA, it was sliders and beer and so on.

The exterior of the property continues to be party central, with a pool, hot tub, outdoor kitchen, cabana, fire pit and even a standalone fountain. The family has held catered pig roasts there for sixty people with ping pong and horseshoe tournaments followed by bonfires. Its a big property, says Terry, Truly an entertainers dream house. Weve had a great time here.

4 Quinn Street in Springwater is now on the market, represented by Sothebys International Realty Canada.

Continued here:
The Road Away from Rome: A massive renovation on a Springwater bungalow - simcoe.com

New York, March 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the current analysis of Reports and Data, the globalfiber cement board marketwas valued at USD 13.43 Billion in 2019 and is expected to reach USD 19.89 Billion by the year 2027, at a CAGR of 5.03%. The Fiber Cement Board (FCB) is a building material that has been used in construction activities as building materials by mixing cement with various organic or mineral fibers at specified ratios. The addition of fibers to fiber cement imparts several attributes that are important to the application and serviceability of the composites. Some of these attributes include resistance to cracking, a lighter weight, and a degree of flexibility that are important to the fiber cement board market. These boards are majorly used for decorative purposes such as sidings, flooring, ceiling, roofing materials, soffit and trims, and as a tile backing board. It is preferred for building good quality and long-lasting furniture and homes due to properties such as high resistance to water, fire, and termites.

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The fiber cement board market is witnessing significant growth because of its utilization as siding inside the house, such as bathrooms and kitchens, because of its properties such as durable and water-resistant as well as waterproof nature. In addition, accelerating construction expenditures, specifically in new housing, will spur demand. The adoption of the Fibre cement board has increased in prime end-use industries, namely residential, commercial, and others. In addition, the rapid growth of the residential sector is another factor boosting the market growth.

Also, the favorable government regulations and rising awareness regarding environmental degradation are anticipated to accelerate fiber cement board market growth over the projected period. The increasing construction spending in emerging economies from the Asia Pacific owing to rising population coupled with healthy economic and industrial development is expected to affect the product demand in the near future positively. Besides, various capital investments in public infrastructures bolster the growth rate. The emergence of the residential construction sector in China and India on account of improving standards of living, consumer spending capabilities, and changing lifestyles are expected to contribute to construction spending over the years to come.

Key market players are today focusing on various strategic activities involving research and development activities to explore the applications of Fibre Cement Board Markets and also mergers and acquisitions, facility expansions, and related investments.

Further key findings from the report suggest

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For the purpose of this report, Reports and Data have segmented the report on the basis of material, product, production process, application, end-use, and region:

Material (Revenue, USD Million; Volume in Million Sq. Ft., 20172027)

Product (Revenue, USD Million; Volume in Million Sq. Ft., 20172027)

Production Process (Revenue, USD Million; Volume in Million Sq. Ft., 20172027)

Application (Revenue, USD Million; Volume in Million Sq. Ft., 20172027)

End-Use (Revenue, USD Million; Volume in Million Sq. Ft., 20172027)

To identify the key trends in the industry, click on the link below: https://www.reportsanddata.com/report-detail/global-fiber-cement-board-market-2017-forecast-to-2022

Regional Outlook (Revenue in USD Million; Volume in Million Sq. Ft., 20172027)

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Fiber Cement Board Market To Reach USD 19.89 Billion By 2027 | Reports And Data - GlobeNewswire

NIAGARA FALLS, ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 26, 2020 / EnerDynamic Hybrid Technologies Corp. (TSXV:EHT) ("EHT") is pleased to provide an important update to shareholders on the valuation of its assets involved in the Dawa Industrial Housing Project in Ghana, in which EHT's current joint venture with United Construction and Investments (the "UCI-EHT JV") is a primary participant.

UCI-EHT Ghana Project 100,000 houses at Dawa Industrial Area.

In EHT's February 19, 2020, news release, we stated that the real property the Government of Ghana granted to the UCI-EHT JV, which is now owned by the JV, has been formally appraised at $64.3M USD ($73.3M CAD). As previously announced, this property will be the underpinning of the security for the construction of the homes to be built by the UCI-EHT JV We want/wish to reiterate that the UCI-EHT JV is 70% owned by EHT, which means that this (real) property is now an asset of the JV company, and therefore, EHT can now show this entire value amount on EHT's consolidated financial statements going forward. EHT will, through the course of the UCI-EHT JV, reduce the asset value in correlation with sales recorded on the income statement as it builds houses and sells them back to the Government of Ghana, as per EHT's contract therewith. As sales are recorded by the UCI-EHT JV, EHT will continue to make margin on the sale of the houses themselves, as well as on the materials EHT delivers to the UCI-EHT JV. Through this promising development, EHT has strengthened its balance sheet, while at the same time recorded a significant pipeline of sales, which we look forward to delivering on with our partners in Ghana.

About EnerDynamic Hybrid Technologies

EHT delivers proprietary, turn-key energy solutions which are intelligent, bankable and sustainable. EHT's expertise includes the development of its ENERTEC module structures with full integration of smart energy solutions. Using a proprietary skin and foam core that is stronger than traditional wood or steel structural insulated panels, EHT provides exceptional thermal energy efficiency in modular homes, cold storage facilities, residential/commercial out buildings and emergency/temporary shelters. EHT works with its partners worldwide to erect the buildings on-site utilizing EHT staff and local crews. In addition to traditional support to established electrical networks, ENERTEC buildings excel where no electrical grid exists.

About ENERTEC

The EHT advanced ENERTEC Modular Wall and Roof System uses a proprietary skin and foam core that is stronger and more energy efficient than traditional wood or steel structures providing the highest ratings for energy efficiency. EHT works with its partners worldwide to erect the buildings on-site utilizing EHT staff and local crews. After installation, each structure can be furnished and finished to meet the customer's requirements including siding, tile, kitchens and bathrooms or segregated commercial rooms. The finished wall product can be shipped on pallets and delivered via rail, truck or water in standard formats.

At the core of the ENERTEC product line is the ENERTEC Embedded Solar Roof Module. Solar cells can be embedded in a proprietary fireproof skin resulting in substantial cost savings by eliminating heavy glass panels and aluminum racking required for traditional solar panels. Two barriers to greater adoption of solar energy are weight limitations of the roof on which solar panels could be deployed and onerous shipping and labour costs. A lighter product at a better price point will open a larger market for solar due to the faster return of capital investment especially for rural and remote users looking to go off-grid. Furthermore, the entire EHT embedded solar roof becomes a massive solar panel capable of producing significantly more energy than the home requires, allowing the structure to then become an important source of power for the local micro grid or large battery storage systems.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

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Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The statements herein that are not historical facts are forwardlooking statements. Forward-looking information relating to sales of the products (the "Opportunities") involves risk, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects, for the Opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Although EHT believes that the assumptions used in preparing the forward-looking information on the Opportunities outlined in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. EHT disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

John GambleDirector(289) 488-1699jgamble@ehthybrid.com info@ehthybrid.com Website: http://www.ehthybrid.com

SOURCE: EnerDynamic Hybrid Technologies Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/577829/EnerDynamic-Update-on-the-Asset-Value-of-Ghana-Joint-Venture-Property

Link:
EnerDynamic Update on the Asset Value of Ghana Joint Venture Property - Yahoo Finance