Should we have completed a DFS before proceeding with construction of DMS 1? We'll never know. I don't think we'll be able to answer that for at least another 6-12 months and even then we still may not have definitive answer to that.
AJM completed a DFS and stated that the project had a "...capital estimate of A$139.7 million including sustaining capital and a payback period of 1.8 years". How is that working out so far?
I am big supporter of completing a DFS before developing a project as I have been burnt once before. I have also seen many companies complete a DFS and/or BFS only for the figures to be miles off once the project was completed and production had commenced.
Alliance's operational issues so far, IMO, would have occurred whether a DFS was completed or not.
I was on Chevron's >US$30bn Wheatstone Project for over 5 years. I witnessed both timeframe and capex blowouts. They experienced engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning and production issues. I realise that an LNG plant is much more technically complex than a lithium plant, but the nature of the O&G and mining sectors is that you will almost inevitably encounter issues and development and operational will not be seamless.