TECH draws on Lava Blue know-how for HPA stream

Queensland Pacific Metals is joining forces with Lava Blue to produce high purity alumina (HPA) at its TECH battery chemicals project in Townsville. Lava Blue’s proprietary technology for HPA production is based around the conventional hydrocloric acid leach, which was the base case for QPM. It has produced 4N+ HPA from a variety of feedstocks and is working closely with Queensland University of Technology to scale up its process. The unlisted public company also holds tenements between Greenvale and Mount Garnet that are rich in kaolinitic clays, bearing a high alumina content. “From our pre-feasibility study, it was evident that HPA production is a significant value enhancer for the TECH project," QPM managing director Dr Stephen Grocott said. "We are delighted to work with Lava Blue and their partners QUT and Engenium. This joint development significantly advances us with respect to achieving commercial production of HPA at the TECH project. "By leveraging off Lava Blue’s technical expertise and networks in HPA, we will be able to maintain our focus on the production of net carbon negative nickel and cobalt, whilst ensuring the HPA opportunity is not left behind.” The parties have announced a binding heads of agreement regarding the licensing of Lava Blue’s proprietarytechnology for HPA production and the joint development of a definitive feasibility study for HPA production at the TECH project. QPM and Lava Blue are confident the Lava Blue process will be able to successfully refine TECH project aluminiumhydroxide feedstock into 99.99 per cent (4N) HPA. The initial phase of the partnership, which has already commenced, involves Lava Blue undertaking lab scale testwork to produce 4N HPA from aluminium hydroxide produced from QPM’s pilot plant. Lava Blue is building a 20kg batch demonstration plant in Brisbane, expected to be operational in the first half of 2022. Lava Blue managing director Michael McCann. The key terms of the heads of agreement include an initial fee of $25,000, DFS completion fee of $75,000, as well as $100,000 upon QPM making a Final Investment Decision to construct a HPA refinery at TECH. Lava Blue would also receive a commercial plant commissioning fee of $250,000 and a royalty payable on commercial HPA production. Lava Blue managing director Michael McCann said the collaboration with QPM was a tremendous validation of the approach Lava Blue had taken to the issues of making HPA. "Like a lot of materials that are required for the production of batteries, the challenges of making HPA are not obvious until you are attempting to do it repeatedly, and with the aim of achieving highly controlled and consistent outcomes," he said. "We see QPM taking a very similar approach to the scaling up of the Direct Nickel Process. We look forward to working with QPM on the manufacturing of HPA as part of their incredibly exciting TECH project.”

TECH draws on Lava Blue know-how for HPA stream

Industry Queensland

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