IPT reveals breakthrough High Purity Alumina (HPA) metallurgy at Lake Hope, WA

Project Name: Lake Hope Project

Project Location: Western Australia (WA), Australia

Project Stage: Advanced Exploration

ProjectBank Summary: Impact Minerals Limited (ASX: IPT) has announced a significant breakthrough in the metallurgical processing of High Purity Alumina (HPA) at its Lake Hope Project in Western Australia. The newly developed low-temperature leach (LTL) and acid digestion process, termed the "LTL Process," has produced 99.99% (4N) Al2O3. This simpler process is expected to lower both capital and operating costs compared to the Sulphate Process, which has been the focus of test work to date.

Impact Minerals Highlights:

• High Purity Alumina Production:

  • 99.99% (4N) Al2O3 produced from the new LTL Process.

  • LTL Process potentially offers lower production costs compared to the Sulphate Process.

• Scoping Study and Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS):

  • Scoping Study based on Sulphate Process indicated operating cost of <US$4,000 per tonne of HPA, with an NPV8 of A$1.3 billion.

  • LTL Process to be included in the ongoing PFS alongside the Sulphate Process, aiming to determine the most efficient processing route.

  • PFS scheduled for completion in late 2024.

• Optimization and Further Studies:

  • Further optimization studies for the LTL Process underway.

  • Batch production tests for both processes will run in parallel at minimal additional cost.

MD/CEO Statement: Dr. Mike Jones, Managing Director of Impact Minerals, commented: "Today we reveal a further exciting breakthrough for producing HPA from the unique mix of minerals at Lake Hope. The LTL Process is simpler and may result in even lower operating and capital costs compared to the Sulphate Process. We remain on course to complete the PFS later this year and continue to look forward to producing HPA from Lake Hope."