Name of the Project
High-purity alumina (HPA) First project.

Location
Gladstone State Development Area, in Queensland, Australia.

Project Owner/s
Alpha HPA.

Project Description
The HPA First project will at scale be one of the largest HPA refineries in the world. The 10 ha state-of-the-art facility will leverage the established Stage 1 facility, and the latest in process control systems and automation, making it capable of producing 10 000 t/y of HPA equivalent.

Alpha HPA announced a final investment decision for the second stage of the HPA refinery in May 2024, on the back of a positive definitive feasibility study (DFS). The DFS is based on an annualised HPA product capacity of 10 430 t/y.

Potential Job Creation
Stage 1 is expected to create about 490 jobs during construction and more than 200 jobs upon completion.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The payback period from first production for Stage 2 is estimated at 3.7 years.

Capital Expenditure
Stage 1 has a preproduction capital cost of A$308.13-million.

Stage 2 will cost A$553-million.

Planned Start/End Date
The project is expected to start construction in 2024 and will be operational in 2025. Construction of Stage 2 is expected to start in mid-2024, with first production scheduled for the first half of the 2027 financial year.

Latest Developments
None stated.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Prudentia Process Consulting (DFS and cost estimation); Prudentia and HPAlumina (pilot plant, engineering); and Aecom (permitting approvals).

Contact Details for Project Information
Alpha HPA, tel +61 2 9300 3310 or email info@collerinacobalt.com.au.