Refinery hopeful taps JCU

BATTERY metals hopeful Queensland Pacific Metals is working with James Cook University on ways to use waste from its proposed Townsville Energy Chemicals Hub in landfill, pavers and cement.

The company is planning a $554m refinery complex at the Lansdown industrial precinct to produce metals from more than 560,000 tonnes of nickel ore imported each year from New Caledonia.

This week it announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the university to collaborate on research. The initial focus of the research relates to the residue produced by the hub.

The company plans to produce nickel and cobalt sulfates, high-purity alumina and magnesia, all used in battery manufacturing. It is also working with zinc refiner Sun Metals to produce hematite iron oxide. Almost half the nickel ore is comprised of iron.

Queensland Pacific Metals wants to use a recycled nitric acid to leach the ore, which it says will cut residues from a mass of about 120 per cent of ore produced under conventional high pressure acid leach techniques to about 20 per cent.

“The initial focus of the research program with JCU Townsville is on the characterisation of this residue and the potential to convert it to commercial applications,” the company’s parent, Pure Minerals, has told the Australian Securities Exchange.

“These include engineered landfill and non-structural construction material applications such as blocks, pavers and cement feed.”

Pure Minerals managing director John Downie says if it can redirect inert residue to commercial applications it will deliver an additional revenue stream and make the hub the world’s first zero-waste nickel cobalt production facility.

Queensland Pacific Metals wants to start building its hub next year for commissioning at the end of 2022.