Impact Mineral bags AUD 2.87 million to pilot Lake Hope high-purity alumina plant

Impact Minerals has collaborated with CPC Engineering and the Mineral Recovery Research Centre (MRRC) at Edith Cowan University on an initiative to pilot the commercialisation of the company's ingenious process for producing High-Purity Alumina (HPA) from the Lake Hope reserve, located 500 kilometres east of Perth in Western Australia.

The collaborative effort has received a AUD 2.87 million grant under the Federal Government's Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) programme, which fosters short-term, industry-led research works. The plant, crucial to providing material for offtake and qualification, is scheduled to commence construction next year.

Impact Minerals' Managing Director, Dr Mike Jones, said, "We are immensely proud to drive this transformative project, which aligns with and advances Australia's strategic interests in critical minerals. We thank Minister Husic for his personal interest in the project, as this federal funding not only underscores the national importance of our work but also enhances our capability to implement world-leading technologies that set new standards in sustainability and efficiency in the mineral sector."

HPA is a vital mineral for Europe, Australia, and North America. It is a key component in enhancing the thermal reliability of lithium-ion batteries. The company presented a 10,000tpa HPA plant that would use ingenious metallurgical processes to produce HPA and fertiliser by-products from the salts in the Lake Hope deposit. The salts will be mined and trucked to Kwinana for further processing.

"Being able to commence work on our pilot plant and the subsequent feasibility studies with the world-leading research of Edith Cowan University and the unique skills and experience of CPC Engineering will position Impact Minerals at the forefront of the global HPA market, ready to meet increasing demands with a sustainably produced, high-quality product. The project is scheduled to advance swiftly from initial trials to a definitive study phase, ensuring timely delivery of HPA and fertiliser samples to potential customers and partners. This grant and likely contributions from the R and D rebate will ensure our next stage of work after the PFS will be well funded," added Jones.

The grant is part of an extensive AUD 6.4 million project that is due in three years and has been developed to equip the firm with all of the facts required to complete a definitive feasibility study effectively within that time frame.