Andromeda Metals achieves breakthrough in lower-emission HPA production at Great White

South Australian minerals explorer Andromeda Metals (ASX: ADN) has unveiled a major breakthrough in the commercial production of critical mineral high purity alumina (HPA).

Added to Australia’s critical minerals list in March 2022, HPA is a refined form of aluminium oxide with a purity level of 99.99% or higher, making it essential for various high-tech applications.

Andromeda Metals has reported that lab-scale test work conducted by EAG Eurofins USA has successfully produced HPA above the necessary purity level from high-quality refined kaolin using a novel flowsheet at the company’s Great White project.

Cost-effective option

Acting chief executive officer Sarah Clarke said Andromeda expects the process to be significantly more cost-effective and less carbon-intensive than other processes such as aluminium alkoxide hydrolysis.

“Whilst Andromeda’s primary focus remains the development of the Great White project, the production of HPA is a high-value and complementary opportunity,” Ms Clarke said.

“These outstanding results demonstrate the potential to expand Andromeda’s product portfolio in the future to include a value-added critical mineral [and] underpin our confidence in progressing HPA through to the next stage of development.”

“The premise of producing HPA – a high-value, in-demand product – at a lower cost and reduced carbon intensity compared to established processes should be highly attractive to any manufacturers using HPA in their products.”

Lengthy investigation

The successful test work follows more than seven years of investigation, research and metallurgical analysis by the company that ultimately led to its development of the novel process flowsheet.

Growing demand for the manufacture of synthetic sapphire used in light-emitting diodes, semiconductors, wearable tech, lithium-ion batteries and high-tech ceramics has propelled the drive to produce HPA from kaolin.

Analysts are forecasting global HPA demand to outstrip supply by as much as 45% by 2028.

Andromeda is now looking to complete a scoping study while soliciting HPA customers’ assistance in developing the product form, morphology and crystalline structure to suit their applications and also intends to investigate government funding opportunities.