Fortescue (ASX:FMG) has sold more than 40 tonnes of copper concentrate treated using its Toowong Process, marking the first commercial sale from its arsenic-removal technology.
The patented hydrometallurgical process uses low temperature and pressure to separate arsenic from copper concentrate. Fortescue acquired the technology in 2022 and has since carried out seven test campaigns over more than 3,000 hours at its Brisbane demonstration plant.
Fortescue says the process reduced arsenic levels to below 0.3%, while retaining more than 99.9% of the copper.
The first 40 tonnes of treated concentrate contained less than 0.25% arsenic, down from feedstocks containing up to 7%, and has now been sold.
High arsenic levels can make copper concentrate difficult to market, with smelters either rejecting material or imposing penalties. Conventional removal through roasting is also energy-intensive and requires additional infrastructure to manage emissions and arsenic-bearing residues.
Fortescue says the Toowong Process could offer an alternative by lowering arsenic concentrations while reducing energy use and emissions compared with roasting.
The company is continuing commercial engineering work and further testing, including on concentrate from its Cañariaco Copper Project in Peru.
Fortescue says the technology could improve the marketability of Cañariaco concentrate and provide greater flexibility in future mine planning.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
Main image: Fortescue
