Another step towards a QNI refinery restart

A breakthrough in processing technology indicates that nickel mining may once again be viable at Greenvale, west of Townsville. A substantial amount of the resource high in magnesium, considered to be the bane of the Caron Process used at the QNI Yabulu Refinery, was left in situ when the mine closed in 1993. Scientists working on a new nickel refining process combining tailings and ore have registered a breakthrough which opens up scrutiny of a proposed re-opening of the Yabulu refinery. The DNi (Direct Nickel) Technologies team at the CSIRO Waterford Laboratories in Perth has registered high metal recoveries out of a mixture of 20 percent tailings and 80 percent ore samples from Cuba. It mirrored what could be done with the Greenvale and other nearby orebodies, said former QNI general manager Orestes Trifilio. “Both plants in Cuba and Townsville originally used the Caron Process,” Mr Trifilio said. “In both cases mining stopped at the site because of high magnesium levels in the ore, amongst other reasons. “In both cases, the refineries were left with large tailings liabilities which contained material including nickel and cobalt, that couldn’t be recovered. “A sample of ore from Cuba, including tailings and the higher magnesium feedstock, had been put through the DNi Process and returned 98 per cent nickel, 97 per cent cobalt, 95 per cent magnesium and 86 per cent iron. “The tests show that, with DNi, one could potentially process Caron tailings, which are not economic to be processed alone, together with the higher magnesium ore, similar to what’s left in Greenvale. So, the DNi process enhances the value for both the tailings and the remaining orebody.” The DNi process has other benefits. It addresses the environmental liability of millions of tonnes of tailings by generating a nitrate-based residue which allows grass to naturally grow and had no negative effect on the environment. As well, the current tailings would also be reduced to less than half the original weight, Mr Trifilio said. DNi Technologies senior process manager Fiona McCarthy said the results of the Cuban nickel ore and tailings test were encouraging for Yabulu. “This is not going to require anything different because it (the Yabulu Refinery) has tailings which fit into the standard DNi flow sheet without any special modifications,” Dr McCarthy said. “If the Greenvale or other nearby ores can provide a blend similar, I would think it is a pretty good feedstock to start with. Over one per cent is getting in a good economic zone.” There is more than one party interested in employing the DNi technology in Townsville. Pure Minerals has stated its intention to develop a battery metals refinery in northern Queensland using ore from New Caledonia to produce nickel sulphate and cobalt sulphate. The company said in its last quarterly report that it was also working with DNi to undertake further leach extract test work. QPM has settled on the Lansdown Industrial Precinct, 40km west of Townsville as a site for a new processing plant. https://www.i-q.net.au/main/land-deal-for-townsville-battery-chemicals-plant

Another step towards a QNI refinery restart

Industry Queensland

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