Pending report to put the acid on processing

The results of the Queensland Acid Study are due to be handed down. The study was launched at the World Mining Congress in June last year to investigate supply options including importing sulphuric acid, continuing to make acid locally and producing elemental sulphur for benefaction on-site. Related: Click here to register for the NorthWest MPX in Mount Isa 7-9 May Acid is an important part of the benefaction process for many minerals. Queensland’s largest production comes out of the Mount Isa sulphuric acid plant which takes feedstock from the Mount Isa Mines copper smelter. Main image: Mount Isa acid plant The plant collects then cleans sulphur dioxide before converting it first to sulphur trioxide, then to liquid sulphuric acid. Lime and acid modules from the Lorena gold mine processing plant. The acid plant, which has a staff of around 40 on site, has the capacity to produce 3700 tonnes/day. MIM’s smelter is scheduled for closure in 2030 as part of a rationalisation of copper operations in line with the depletion of ore bodies which have been mined for generations. Sun Metals also sells acid from its Townsville zinc refinery. The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) said at the time of the report’s commissioning the preference among its members was having a locally sourced product. Related: Where the future lies for the Isa smelter Members have had input into the study, which was expected to be released early this year, AMEC general manager of operations Kate Dickson said. “The main members that we are talking to about this process are the vanadium companies,” Ms Dickson said. “There are other member companies that need sulphuric acid and they’re all around Queensland and so are the sources. “So yes, they’re keen to secure supply and get the type of acid that they need for their operations.” Tailings dams in the North West could prove to be part of the solution with a reclamation process which would yield elemental sulphur. Research into mining tailings led by Broken Hill company Cobalt Blue has entered into the production test phase, with sulphur production part of the outcome. Related: North West Queensland Economic Diversification Strategy Phosphate producer Incitec Pivot has long been the beneficiary of production from the Mount Isa acid plant where product is railed to Phosphate Hill south of Mount Isa in specially designed GATX wagons. There were a number of issues to be considered including ESG outcomes, Ms Dickson said. “… what the demand profile is, what the supply opportunity is, what the ramp down and ramp up will be, charting the assets coming off and the ones coming on. “I hope there are a number of different processing techniques considered around sulphur production and consideration for different types of sulphur product. “Given that each company has different requirements for elemental sulphur and sulfuric acid, we need enough scope to cater for a variety of scenarios.” The Queensland Acid Study is part of the Queensland Critical Minerals Strategy. The Minister for State Development Grace Grace’s office was contacted for comment.

Pending report to put the acid on processing

Industry Queensland

Related News

Rock-solid recognition for promising geology talent

Robust outlook for Mount Chalmers copper operation

EMU keen on Fiery Creek porphyry potential

Get access to breaking mining news, now.