Queensland Pacific Metals produces first MHP product from TECH plant
2020-12-21 11:53:28 [Print]
Australia's Queensland Pacific Metals (QPM) has produced the first batch of nickel-cobalt mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) from its pilot plant located at ALS Global.
The company, formerly known as Pure Minerals, constructed and commissioned the pilot plant over this quarter to produce the MHP.
A $4.4 million placement conducted late in the September quarter supported the development of the pilot plant which is part of the Townsville Energy Chemical Hub Project (TECH). The TECH Project is located in Townsville and will process high-grade nickel-cobalt laterite ore imported from New Caledonia to produce battery chemicals for the electric vehicle sector.
Making this first batch is an important milestone as it demonstrates the direct nickel process (DNi). The DNi process employs a nitric acid leach to produce products that will be further refined to produce battery chemicals. According to the company, this process is what interests potential offtakers the most, as converting MHP into nickel-cobalt sulfate is established at a commercial scale.
The company, formerly known as Pure Minerals, constructed and commissioned the pilot plant over this quarter to produce the MHP.
A $4.4 million placement conducted late in the September quarter supported the development of the pilot plant which is part of the Townsville Energy Chemical Hub Project (TECH). The TECH Project is located in Townsville and will process high-grade nickel-cobalt laterite ore imported from New Caledonia to produce battery chemicals for the electric vehicle sector.
Making this first batch is an important milestone as it demonstrates the direct nickel process (DNi). The DNi process employs a nitric acid leach to produce products that will be further refined to produce battery chemicals. According to the company, this process is what interests potential offtakers the most, as converting MHP into nickel-cobalt sulfate is established at a commercial scale.
NCM 523 Delivered China
Unit:RMB/mt
China cobalt carbonate producers' inventory to production ratio statistics by province by month
Unit: %
