PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The HPA First project, in Queensland, has produced its first aluminium-nitrate precursors, ASX-listed Alpha HPA said on Tuesday.
The Stage 1 precursor production facility (PPF) is in the final stages of chemical commissioning and delivered its maiden production this week. The PPF has produced 3 300 kg of aluminium-nitrate precursor crystal, reaching a production rate of 800 kg/d, or equivalent to 70% of the nameplate capacity.
“Alpha is delighted to achieve first production of our aluminium nitrate from the Stage 1 facility. This milestone is a fantastic validation of our entire technical and operations team and their dedication to the project,” said Alpha First MD Rimas Kairaitis.
Verification of the product purity is being awaited, with the expectation that first product purity will be marginally below target while the impurities from the startup activities in the circuit are flushed out.
The A$300-million HPA First project will produce 10 000 t/y of HPA and related high purity precursor products using Alpha’s proprietary licensed solvent extraction and HPA refining technology.