Trigg Minerals develops high-quality feed salts using new technology on Lake Throssell brine
Trigg Minerals will undertake further test work of the processing technology to shore up pilot-scale and economic assessments.
Bench-scale test work using an alternate process on brine from Trigg Minerals’ (ASX: TMG) Lake Throssell sulphate of potash (SOP) project in Western Australia has been able to obtain high-quality feed salts “more quickly and efficiently” than conventional evaporation.
This test work was able to generate salts with the targeted potassium concentration required for a SOP processing plant. The salts were also less complex than those generated through standard methods.
Trigg managing director Keren Paterson said it was an “outstanding” result to identify an alternative processing pathway from the company’s preliminary investigations.
“This innovative technique addresses key learnings from the emerging Australian SOP industry and shows potential in improving the processing efficiency, reliability and cost-effectiveness of this important fertiliser, which is vital for global food security.”
Ms Paterson noted that while it was early in the evaluation process, the company was encouraged and would carry out further test work in readiness for a pilot scale evaluation, which would underpin economic assessments of the process.
Processing SOP from potassium brines
Traditionally, generating SOP from potassium-rich brines has used using solar energy to evaporate the brine.
This is done to remove waste salts such as halite and produces the feed salts kainite-type mixed salt (KTMS), also known as potassium, for conversion and refining into a final product.
Trigg noted that because this process is reliant on natural sunlight it can be problematic and constant changes in atmospheric conditions can impact the desired quality and quantity of the KTMS.
In light of this, Trigg has been investigating alternative routes to generate the KTMS more efficiently and reliably.
To evaluate other processes, Trigg identified numerous technology partners during the September quarter last year.
A 16,000 litre sample of brine was extracted from existing on-lake trenches at Lake Throssell and was transported to a laboratory in Perth.
The brine was evaporated to a density close to saturation. Samples were then sent to various technology partners for testing using their various proprietary processes.
It was the result from one of these partners that has shown promise in delivering the required quality of feed salts quickly and efficiently.
Based on this outcome, Trigg is immediately progressing to bench-scale test work to refine the control parameters and scope for a pilot-scale test program.