Altech optimises beneficiation process for its meckering deposit

Altech Chemicals Limited is pleased to announce that as part of the current Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) for its high purity alumina (HPA) project, it has optimised the proposed beneficiation process for the Meckering aluminous clay(kaolin) deposit. The results of the optimisation program confirm the significant benefits of wet processing (refer Figure 2), previously dry processing which involved the initial dry crushing, drying and screening of the material had been contemplated.

The selection of wet processing is based on recent test-work conducted by Simulus Engineers and Simulus Laboratory’s in Perth, Australia. The test-work successfully demonstrated that Altech’s Meckering aluminous clay readily slurries in a water attritioner without the need for dry crushing and drying, prior to screening. In addition, superior recoveries of alumina were observed for the wet process, along with a higher finished concentrate grade, and consequently superior alumina yield.

Removing the dry crushing, drying and screening stages from the Meckering flow sheet has resulted in lower capital and operating cost estimates, a more efficient and simplified process, and reduced dust levels associated with beneficiation.

The aluminous clay concentrate (approximately 25,000tpa), will be used as feedstock for the Company’s proposed HPA processing plant in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, and following beneficiation at Meckering the concentrate will be filter-pressed and bagged in to 2 tonne Bulk a bags (see Figure 1), for shipment from Fremantle port in Western Australia to Tanjung Langsat, Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

The aluminous clay concentrate (kaolin) is benign in nature and contains no deleterious elements. Although commonly used as a filler or coating product in the paper and ceramics industries, as well as a critical ingredient for plastic, rubber, paint and cosmetics applications, the unique properties of the Meckering deposit, rich in alumina with low levels of iron and sodium, makes it the ideal feedstock for cost effective processing to 99.99% high purity alumina, as is proposed by the Company.