ChemX Materials has achieved a significant milestone in its quest to produce high-purity alumina (HPA) with the early-stage commissioning of a leach circuit at its “HiPurA” pilot plant in Western Australia. The leach circuit is essential in the purification process to produce 99.99 percent purity HPA from its planned 24-tonne per annum plant.
The commissioning marks the initial step in ChemX’s process, where aluminous chemical feedstock is purified to create a rich alumina stock, preparing it for the solvent extraction (SX) stage. Structural, mechanical, and piping activities are progressing well, with electrical and control elements advancing swiftly.
ChemX CEO Peter Lee expressed satisfaction with the progress, stating, “Our 24tpa HiPurA HPA Pilot Plant is starting to rapidly take shape, and we are pleased to have commissioned the leach circuit. Achieving this milestone delivers on our commitment to commence early-stage commissioning in Q2 of the 2024 calendar year.”
The HiPurA pilot plant will serve as the basis for a prefeasibility study early next year, investigating large-scale production near WA’s Kwinana belt. The plant will source its primary aluminous chemical feedstock from South 32’s refining operations at Worsley.
In March, ChemX raised $1.5 million to fund the pilot plant’s commissioning. The company’s technology, for which it received an Australian patent in January, aims to meet the growing demand for HPA, priced at US$20,000 per tonne. ChemX is targeting the US, Korean, and Japanese markets, generating significant interest from potential customers.
HPA is crucial for clean energy technologies, particularly in lithium-ion batteries, where it enhances thermal stability and reduces fire risk. It is also used in polishing semiconductors and manufacturing LED device screens.
With demand for HPA and other critical metals expected to surge, ChemX is poised to capitalize on this growing market as it transitions from construction to production. 
