Impact Minerals yet again as lowest-cost global HPA producer - Lake Hope's PFS released

Impact Minerals has once again confirmed its position as the lowest-cost global HPA producer with its recent release of a Pre‑Feasibility Study (PFS) for its Lake Hope High‑Purity Alumina (HPA) project in Western Australia. According to the PFS, the Net Present Value (NPV₁₀) is no less than AUD 1.165 billion (USD 746 million), a flat‑line CapEx of AUD 259 million (USD 167 million), and operating costs of ~USD 5,860 per tonne. However, it shows a potential of sliding below USD 4500 with the byproduct credits.

Strategy meets scale: Impact Mineral’s vision for HPA growth

Pilot plant & government-backed innovation
A pilot plant is underway with CAD 2.87 million (USD 2.07 million) in UK‑PCRC funding, partnered between CPC Engineering and Edith Cowan University. The plant is focused on membrane research and process optimisation, and the pilot will deliver HPA samples to support offtake negotiations.  

HiPurA® integration and vertical integration pathway
Impact Mineral’s 50 per cent acquisition of Alluminous Pty Ltd and its proprietary HiPurA® processing IP enables a vertically integrated mine‑to‑HPA model. Though the PFS only covers the Lake Hope standalone project, the company itself has set out to explore opportunities that help speed up time-to-market and significantly reduce capital intensity to increase margins.