QEM is set to repurpose vanadium-rich industrial waste from the Sun Metals refinery operations for making battery electrolyte.

The offtake agreement will see the Julia Creek vanadium mine proponent collect the Townsville site’s vanadium-bearing spent catalyst over at least five years, subject to test results.

QEM plans to process the spent catalyst to extract high-grade vanadium pentoxide with greater than 99 per cent purity, a grade required to produce electrolyte for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs).

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“We have taken this initiative in an effort to help bring forward the production of high grade vanadium electrolyte in Queensland and to provide an opportunity for Australian-based VRFB developers to get a head start, prior to any availability of V2O5 from our main project at Julia Creek,” QEM managing director Gavin Loyden said.

“This is a small-scale project with both environmental and industry development drivers. It is also designed to further advance QEM’s industry expertise and downstream knowledge of electrolyte production.

“Our aim here is to support initiatives aimed at the circular economy and to turn a waste stream into a highly prized product.

“The VRFB was invented in Australia, and it would be great to see Australian manufacturers materialise. Although this initiative will only result in small quantities in the first instance, it will be enough for VRFB developers to begin testing.”

QEM recently commissioned Clean TeQ Water to assess the viability of vanadium recovery from spent catalyst.

It expects to have access to the required equipment through the government-built $75 million critical minerals demonstration facility in Townsville.

QEM will be paid a nominal fee for spent catalyst that is removed and relocated from the Sun Metals operations.

Sun Metals operations director DK Choi said; “Sun Metals is always seeking to reduce its environmental footprint and this initiative by QEM is a positive step forward in our waste reduction program as part of the circular economy.”

QEM is currently updating the mining scoping study for itse Julia Creek project This is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 202.

It is also undertaking additional processing optimisation work, environmental and water studies.