Lava Blue is expanding its Predictive Research into Speciality Materials (PRiSM) centre that it’s developing with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
The high-purity materials manufacturer first started working with QUT in 2018 to develop a process for production of high-purity alumina (HPA) from sapphire-bearing kaolin clay deposits in north-west Queensland.
HPA is the essential material used in the manufacture of all light emitting diodes (LEDs) and is used in lithium-ion batteries to improve the performance and safety of cells.
Lava Blue’s process can manufacture HPA from a wide range of low-cost inputs, including mine waste sourced from Vecco Group and Queensland Pacific Metals’ cobalt and nickel mining activities.
Lava Blue is now aiming to transition its PRiSM facility from research and demonstration into a small-scale commercial production that produces 800–1000 tonnes of HPA per annum.
The facility’s expansion will also allow Lava Blue to demonstrate additional uses of its HPA processing systems to manufacture other high value materials to use in battery manufacturing.
“This rapidly growing battery industry cluster makes Queensland a very attractive location for Lava Blue to invest and grow its business, and most importantly, work closely with the world class universities here to build the highly skilled workforce that is essential for a future battery industry,” Lava Blue managing director Michael McCann said.
“We believe that the battery industry cluster that has already been developing in south-east Queensland for the past decade, combined with local processing of Queensland’s minerals to the high purity, high value battery materials needed, will make Queensland a significant global supplier to what will be one of the pillars of the global economy in the 21st century.”
Queensland Resources and Critical Minerals Minister Scott Stewart welcomed the milestone.
“I’ve seen first-hand the innovative work Lava Blue is doing and it’s exciting to know they’re continuing to grow,” he said.
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