FYI Resources Ltd’s (ASX:FYI) (FRA:SDL) high purity alumina (HPA) pilot plant trial conducted in collaboration with Alcoa of Australia Ltd has delivered results described as "outstanding", consistently achieving purity levels higher than 99.998% aluminium oxide.
The analytical results suggest the trial achieved purity levels higher than anticipated due to progressive enhancements to the flowsheet and improvements to operational procedures from previous trials, including the use of an alternative feedstock supplied by Alcoa.
FYI considers the outcome to be of significant relevance in improving project economics for potential commercial production and a key condition to the Alcoa joint venture memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been achieved.
‘Exceptional results’
FYI managing director Roland Hill said: “We are delighted with the exceptional results from the joint pilot plant trial.
“The achievement continues to demonstrate the outstanding qualities of our flowsheet in delivering consistent and reliably high-quality HPA product – a key requirement from a customer perspective.
“FYI is encouraged by the outcomes of the pilot plant and will continue to progress with the development of our HPA strategy and advancing the MOU conditions with Alcoa.”
Continuing quality control
Some HPA from the joint FYI and Alcoa pilot plant trial was retained for detailed internal analysis and product phase work.
The additional pilot plant trial HPA samples will be forwarded to EAG Laboratories in New York, USA, for further independent, elevated Glow Discharge Mass Spectrometry (GDMS) analysis to provide supplementary data that is intrinsic to the level of purity that has been achieved by the collaborative trial production.
Next steps
Following the final product finishing work of the trial HPA, samples will be sent to several potential offtake parties for further product qualification – particularly directed towards the LED lighting and lithium-ion battery markets.
Alcoa joint venture
FYI has developed an innovative processing flowsheet design to produce high-purity, high-quality HPA.
Previous production trials have resulted in outstanding quality HPA, which is being assessed by potential offtake parties.
FYI and Alcoa announced an MoU in September 2020 for the potential joint development of FYI’s innovative, fully integrated, high-quality HPA project.
Collaborative operation and demonstration of FYI’s pilot plant is one of several conditions’ precedent under the MoU.