University of Queensland Develops Cost-Effective Copper Refining Technology for Mount Isa Miners
Researchers at the University of Queensland have developed a new hydrometallurgical process to refine copper without extreme heat, potentially reducing energy costs by half. The technology, which avoids traditional smelting, has garnered interest from AIC Mines, whose managing director tested it with promising results. Banksia Minerals is set to commercialize the technology with a pilot plant expected by 2028, backed by $5 million in federal funding. This development could offer a sustainable solution for miners facing high shipping costs due to the potential closure of the Mount Isa smelter by 2030.
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The University of Queensland has developed a hydrometallurgical process to refine copper, which could significantly reduce costs and energy consumption compared to conventional smelting. AIC Mines' managing director, Aaron Colleran, tested the process with ore from the Eloise mine, yielding results that exceeded expectations and demonstrating a potential energy use reduction of about 50%.
Banksia Minerals secured $5 million in Australian government funding to develop a pilot plant by 2028, with plans for multiple smaller plants in the Mount Isa region, addressing the looming closure of the local copper smelter by 2030. The new technology also enables the processing of copper deposits previously deemed unviable due to arsenic levels.
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