Two battery metals projects move forward






Two battery metals initiatives have reported progress as Australian resources companies continue two develop initiatives towards a mine to factory lithium ion battery supply chain.

FYI Resources has progressed plans to upgrade ores into high purity alumina (HPA, Al2O3), while Pure Minerals will start its nickel-cobalt pilot plant later this year.

Pure Minerals Townsville Energy Chemicals Hub (TECH) project will process nickel-cobalt laterite ore imported from New Caledonia into battery chemicals for electric vehicles.

Pilot work at CSIRO and ALS Global Hydrometallurgy Centre of excellence (pictured below) in Perth will produce battery chemicals nickel sulphate, cobalt sulphate and high purity alumina by early next year.

FYI Resources new plant is at Kwinana south of Perth where it announced plans to complete stage two pilot plant testing and evaluation.

The company is focused on developing its planned Cadoux resource and coastal processing plant for HPA customers in the sapphire glass, LED and electric vehicle battery markets.

The Perth company told investors that analysis of continuous trial production had yielded an average purity of 99.99 per cent, meeting the company’s target grade expectations.

FYI is now freighting samples to potential customers for product qualification, and producing value-added batches for individual customers.

Managing director Roland Hill said: “The results reinforce the validation of our innovative flow sheet and the sound technical principles upon which we have based our HPA strategy.”

FYI’s processing plant is located in Kwinana, where the Western Australian government is supporting a range of companies contributing to the battery supply chain.

Pictures: Main, FYI Resources continuous furnace in operation, and below ALS’ hydrometallurgical preparation facility.

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