Summary
- King River Resources is continuing to advance metallurgical testwork and engineering studies using its new HPA process route on alternative aluminium feedstock.
- TSW Analytical has completed seven tests on readily available aluminium chemical feedstock sourced by KRR.
- The new HPA testwork has confirmed that a high purity HPA precursor can be produced with fewer process steps than required on the Speewah feedstock.
- The implication is that the Company can initially focus its start-up HPA development around a Perth industrial estate, without an immediate need for large capital and permitting of building an acid plant in Kimberley.
Australian exploration company King River Resources Limited (ASX:KRR) appears to be leveraging its remarkably effective process route for successfully producing High Purity Alumina (HPA) at its Speewah Speciality Metals (SSM) Project.
The potential of the process route has been further validated by the Company’s new HPA testwork, which is being completed alongside the completion of the Speewah testwork and studies.
Notably, TSW Analytical completed seven tests on alternative aluminium feedstock sourced by KRR. The testwork has confirmed that a high purity HPA precursor can be produced with fewer process steps than required on the Speewah feedstock.
This implies that KRR can focus its start-up HPA development around a Perth industrial estate initially. It would not immediately need large capital and permitting of building an acid plant in Kimberley, adjacent to a mining and processing operation.
Lens on Ongoing Testwork on Alternative Al Feedstock
The testwork uses KRR’s new HPA process route but is trialling on alternative aluminium chemical feedstock. Metallurgical tests were completed on a readily available aluminium chemical feedstock, which is an internationally traded commodity sourced from industrial chemical processes.
The KRR process consisted of an initial Primary Crystallisation Stage for precipitating a crude aluminium product. It is then purified by two-phase recrystallisation, precipitating the precursor compound of HPA.
Notably, the HPA precursor is of very high purity, with most elements below 1ppm and may be suitable for producing 4N (99.99% Al2O3) HPA following calcination and washing.
Calcination of the HPA precursor and the Speewah precursor at 1250°C is underway. It is a crucial final process step and would focus on ensuring that no contamination is introduced during the heating and assaying process, thereby leading to the production of the 4N HPA product.
ALSO READ: Skim Through Success Ingredients for King River Resources’ (ASX: KRR) Speewah Project
Overview of Speewah Project Advancement
King River Resources’ plans are centred around initially scaling the SSM project for the production of HPA. At the same time, Vanadium (V2O5), Titanium (TiO2) and Iron (Fe oxide) will be targeted as potential co-products but would not be included as part of the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS). It would substantially decrease the project size, with the potential to reduce capex and maximise returns.
King River Resources is progressing well with the Speewah PFS. Recently, the Company reported on metallurgical testwork results and progress in compiling the PFS. Significant PFS developments have been the focus of testwork and studies. The metallurgical testwork of the Company, which uses a simplified purification process has been successful in producing a high purity precursor compound with very low levels of contaminants.
A phase test which used XRD analysis has demonstrated that the alumina is converted to the stable alpha crystal finding suitability for LED and battery separator applications.
The mining study has been updated by CSA Global on the simplified flowsheet with improved overall recovery and lower throughput.
Meanwhile, further developments are ongoing that would effectuate the advancement of the HPA production focus on the Speewah Project.
ALSO READ: King River Resources Backed by Multitude of Factors Advancing Well at Speewah Project
Stock Information
Following the significant announcement, KRR stock zoomed by 11.5% midday, closing the day’s trade at $0.027 on 11 November 2020. The stock with a market capitalisation of $40.39 million has exhibited a price momentum of 1.23x on the year-to-date basis.
