Re-release announcement Project Update Lake Hope HPA Project
Released
Released
Announcement PDF
ASX Code: IPT
OCTOBER 10th 2024
CORPORATE RELEASE
ASX ANNOUNCEMENT RE-RELEASED
Impact Minerals Limited (ASX:IPT) lodged an ASX release on October 9, 2024, the release has been
updated.
This release includes a confirmation from the Company that all material assumptions underpinning the
production target and forecast financial information in the Lake Hope Scoping Study continues to apply.
Dr Michael G Jones
Managing Director
Authorised by the Board of Impact Minerals Limited
ASX Code: IPT
OCTOBER 9th 2024
CORPORATE RELEASE
Project Update: Lake Hope High Purity Alumina (HPA) Project, WA.
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Marketing Manager with expertise in critical minerals, appointed to spearhead the company’s engagement
with customers and off-take partners.
Negotiation Protocol signed with the PBC for the Ngadju Aboriginal people with a first meeting set for
October 16th.
Mining studies completed with quotes awaited for costs for mining and transport of the lake sediment
to Kwinana.
Final report awaited for an upgrade of a significant part of the Lake Hope alumina resource to the
Measured Resource category.
Engineering studies for the proposed process plant in Kwinana continue on schedule with a focus on acid
reuse.
Testwork progressing with a 20 kg sample of intermediate material being prepared for acid leaching as part
of the Low Temperature Leach Process.
Impact Minerals Limited (ASX:IPT) is pleased to announce that it has appointed an experienced marketing
manager to spearhead the company’s engagement with potential off-take partners and customers for
High-Purity Alumina (HPA) produced from the Lake Hope HPA project, located 500 km east of Perth in
Western Australia (Figure 1).
Joseph Casella joins Impact following five years at Tianqi Lithium, the majority owner of the Greenbushes
lithium-tantalum mine, where he was responsible for the commercial aspects of the Kwinana Lithium
Hydroxide plant. This involved customer management and new product development for lithium
processing by-products, in particular providing marketing support for feasibility studies to beneficiate
aluminosilicates into high-purity products.
Joseph’s expertise includes developing and refining market strategies, managing complex supply chains,
leveraging benefits from international trading houses, and leading circular economy and ESG initiatives
which will also form part of his role. His deep understanding of critical mineral markets, including lithium
and aluminosilicates, positions him as the ideal leader for spearheading customer engagement in
Impact’s HPA business. His proven track record in building strategic customer relationships and business
development will significantly contribute to driving growth and fostering new opportunities in this sector,
and the company welcomes him on board.
Recent ASX releases by Alpha HPA Limited (ASX:A4N), a leader in the HPA industry, show significant
global demand for a wide range of HPA products with indicative interest from potential clients of more
than 30,000 tonnes per annum. This is well over Alpha’s planned production of 10,000 tonnes per
annum and indicates the underlying strength of the HPA market, which is estimated to be growing at an
annual compound growth rate of 15% to 20%. Impact’s marketing strategy will be to identify specific
market entry points where the HPA from Lake Hope can deliver the greatest value in use for end-users.
Figure 1. Location of the Lake Hope Project and proposed haul route to Kwinana.
Construction of Alpha HPA Ltd’s processing plant in Queensland has recently commenced following the
receipt of substantial low-interest debt funding of $400 million, out of a total capex of $500 million, from
the Australian government. The funding demonstrates the ongoing federal (and state) support for critical
minerals and downstream processing, in which Impact intends to participate. The Lake Hope Scoping
study had an estimated capital cost of $250 million (+/- 30%) (ASX Release November 9th 2023). The
Company confirms that all material assumptions underpinning the production target and forecast
financial information continues to apply.
Impact Minerals’ Managing Director, Dr Mike Jones, said, “We are delighted to welcome Joseph to
spearhead the customer engagement program for our High Purity Alumina from Lake Hope. Joseph brings
significant experience in senior international sales and marketing roles having previously worked with a
range of commodities including mineral sands at Iluka, rough and polished diamonds with Rio Tinto and
Argyle Diamonds, and lithium and aluminosilicate products at Tianqi Lithium. His extensive experience in
market research, business and product development, and strong customer focus will greatly benefit us
moving forward, particularly following the construction of a pilot plant planned for next year.
Joseph’s appointment is an integral part of the Pre-Feasibility Study, which is well underway on the Lake
Hope project, with progress also being made at the proposed mine, process plant and test work. We have
previously announced that potentially valuable fertiliser by-products can be produced from the processing
of the Lake Hope salts. Further test work to determine if a second value-add to the entire project is also
underway and this may be incorporated into the Pre-Feasibility Study if appropriate. It would be an
exciting development for the project if it comes to fruition”.
ASX:IPT | ABN 52 119 062 261
Progress on the Pre-Feasibility Study at Lake Hope
The appointment of the Marketing Manager continues to add to the significant progress being made on the
four main parts of the PFS for Lake Hope: the proposed mine at the lake itself; test work to optimize the
metallurgical process; the associated planned full-scale 10,000 tonnes per annum process plant; and
marketing, product development and offtake agreements for the final HPA products (Figure 2 and ASX
Releases July 10th 2024 and August 12th 2024).
Figure 2. The four pieces of the Lake Hope Pre-Feasibility Study Jigsaw Puzzle.
The Mine
Following the recent lodgment of a Mining Lease Application (ASX Release August 12th 2024), the following
work is in progress:
1. The Negotiation Protocol received from the Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) for the Ngadju
Aboriginal peoples, which outlines the negotiation framework to achieve a Land Access Agreement
and a Cultural Heritage Management Plan for the mine, has been reviewed and returned. An initial
meeting with the PBC to commence negotiations is set for October 16th.
2. Detailed mining schedules with proposed equipment and site logistics have been completed, and
quotes have been sent to several mining and transport companies to provide detailed cost
estimates for mining and transporting ore to Kwinana. These will be fed into a detailed financial
model being prepared for the PFS.
ASX:IPT | ABN 52 119 062 261
3. A significant portion of the Indicated Resource at Lake Hope has been upgraded to a Measured
Resource, with a final report from H and S Resource Consultants due shortly. This will allow a
maiden Proven Reserve to be declared subject to further mining, test work and economic studies.
The Mining Lease application covers West Lake, one of the two lakes that contain the resource at Lake
Hope, and sufficient material for at least the first 15 years of the proposed production. It also offers a
more direct haulage route to the Norseman-Hyden road than existing tracks, potentially saving millions of
dollars in road construction costs.
The Process Plant
1. Engineering studies by CPC Engineering to provide estimates of the capital and operating costs for
the proposed processing plant to produce 10,000 tonnes of HPA per annum continue on schedule.
This work builds on extensive Process Flow Design and Mass Flow Balance calculations completed
by Strategic Metallurgy. Modifications have been made to the proposed plant to allow for
significant acid regeneration to reduce the cost of acid required in the process, a key part of the
process flow sheet.
2. Further discussions to secure WA State Government-controlled land in Kwinana are planned for
this Quarter. Kwinana was selected as the best location for the processing plant, a vital outcome of
the PFS, because of the ready availability of the various chemical reagents required for the plant as
well as potential buyers of the associated fertiliser and acid by-products “at the gate” compared to
other locations. This is a significant strategic advantage for the project that minimises the
requirement for many minor capital items, and leads to savings in operating costs.
Test Work
1. Metallurgical test work continues to progress, with the production of a 20 kg sample of the
intermediate compound produced by the first stage of the Low-Temperature Leach (LTL) process
completed (ASX Release February 27th 2024). Subject to an initial test currently underway, this
material will be sent to a third party with proprietary acid-leaching and acid-regeneration
capabilities. These capabilities potentially offer further reductions in operating costs.
2. Test work is also progressing on the production of fertiliser products, both as a by-product and as a
potential second project/revenue stream. This also includes further work on the Sulphate Process
(ASX Release February 19th, 2024). The results of this work may require the PFS to be expanded.
3. Detailed discussions are in progress regarding the design and construction of a pilot plant that will
produce HPA of consistent quality, a requirement for serious engagement with potential offtake
partners. Construction of the plant will be a key goal for the company in 2025.
Marketing and Offtake
1. As discussed above, Joseph Casella has been appointed as Marketing Manager. He will map out
Impact’s entry into the HPA marketplace and formulate sales strategies for the various process byproducts.
ASX:IPT | ABN 52 119 062 261
COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
This report contains no new Exploration Results.
Dr Michael G Jones
Managing Director
Authorised by the Board of Impact Minerals Limited
ASX:IPT | ABN 52 119 062 261
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