Zeotech gets backing for Australia’s first metakaolin production facility

Emerging mineral processing technology company Zeotech announced on Monday the completion of its preliminary feasibility study for Australia's first metakaolin production facility for low-carbon concrete.

The study delivered what the company described as a compelling business case for its AusPozz project, which would establish a manufacturing facility at the Port of Bundaberg in Queensland.

The project showed a net present value of $406 million after-tax and an internal rate of return of 42 per cent after-tax. Initial capital costs were estimated at $115 million, with a payback period of 2.1 years.

The proposed facility would have a nameplate capacity of 300,000 tonnes per annum of AusPozz, a low-carbon supplementary cementitious material designed to replace cement in concrete applications.

Zeotech said the facility would source kaolin ore from its Toondoon Kaolin Project in Queensland, which contains 10.87 million tonnes of mineral resources supporting a 20-year mine life.

The study found the project could reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 229,800 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per annum through cement replacement in low-carbon concrete.

Zeotech said it had secured memorandums of understanding with major industry players, including Holcim Australia for AusPozz products. The company reported 65 active leads in its sales pipeline.

The project would employ more than 140 skilled personnel across mining, logistics, manufacturing and administration roles.

Zeotech said it intended to transition to a definitive feasibility study in the third quarter of 2025.

Picture: credit Zeotech