May Tech Talk - Re-energising Australia: Energy Chemicals Hub

Join the Southern Queensland Branch for networking and a technical talk of interest to mineral processing and chemical energy sectors.This event will be offered at a venue in Brisbane.

About this event

Australia is often found wanting when it comes to value-adding to our rich endowment of mineral resources. Bulk mining and exporting does have significant technological complexity. Australia is very good at it. However, most of the value is “left on the table”, or more correctly, becomes “food for another nation’s table”.

Queensland Pacific Metals is reversing this practice. The Townsville Energy Chemicals Hub project will be based in the Lansdown Eco-industrial Precinct 40 km south of Townsville. It aims to import 1.5m wet tpa of nickel laterite ore from New Caledonia and process it through to high purity battery chemicals and by-products.

The project has just commenced a Definitive Feasibility Study with Hatch. The project intends to be zero liquid discharge and very low solids waste – a breakthrough in nickel/cobalt production. QPM is targeting first production in the second half of 2023 of ~15,000 tpa of nickel contained in high purity nickel sulfate.

This presentation describes a potential future template for battery chemicals production – technology, market, sustainability and why downstream mineral processing in Australia can be successful.

QPM Pilot Plant located at ALS Global Hydrometallurgy Centre of Excellence, Perth, Western Australia

Notice to attendees:

COVID-19 Safety:

The Transcontinental Hotel operates in accordance with an approved Industry COVID Safe Plan.

Do not attend the event if you have COVID-19 symptoms. Stay at home if unwell or have a cough, fever, sore throat, fatigue or shortness of breath.

If you become unwell during the event please locate hotel security or AusIMM SQ Branch member for assistance.

The format will be seated presentation to maintain physical distancing.

Do not crowd at the hotel entry points, and follow instructions for entry and exit.

Re-consider attending if you think you may be at increased risk. Please consult the Australian Government Health site by the following link for guidance:

Australian Government Health Advice for people at risk of COVID-19

Refund Policy for Late Notice Change:

If restrictions cause plans for the in-person event to be cancelled, the event will continue as an only online offering – same date, starting at 6pm.

Attendees will be provided a link for the presentation. The difference between  registration fee for in-person attendance (which include venue and catering expense) and the online registration will be refunded.

Speaker/s

Dr Stephen Grocott

Managing Director & CEO, Queensland Pacific Metals
PhD

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Stephen’s unique experience in Project Development, Financing, Management and R&D includes being Principal of ITB Process Development, Chief Technical Development Officer for CleanTeQ, Chief Advisor – Processing with Rio Tinto, as well as work with Alcoa, Comalco, Southern Pacific Petroleum, Worsley Alumina and BHP.
He is a former Chair of the AMIRA International Board, while his 35 years’ experience includes mineral processing of most major metallic commodities, a wide range of innovative technologies, management, and commercial activities.
He has a PhD in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry from the University of W.A.