Impact Minerals (ASX:IPT) is ramping up its engagement with potential offtake partners by appointing marketing manager Joseph Casella to lead discussions, as the Lake Hope High-Purity Alumina Project’s PFS progresses.
Casella will also be engaging prospective customers seeking high-purity alumina (HPA) produced from Lake Hope, which lies 500km east of Perth in Western Australia.
Managing Director Dr Mike Jones says Casella’s appointment is an integral part of the Prefeasibility Study (PFS), which is well underway on the Lake Hope Project.
Casella’s expertise includes developing and refining market strategies, managing complex supply chains, leveraging benefits form international trading houses, and leading circular economy and environmental, social, and governance initiatives.
He has a deep understanding of the critical minerals market and has positioned himself as a “leader for spearheading customer engagement in Impact’s HPA business,” the company says.
Jones adds that Casella brings “significant experience” in senior international sales and marketing roles having previously worked with a range of commodities, including mineral sands, rough and polished diamonds, and 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,” says Jones.
Impact, which has a market capitalisation of $36.71 million, has completed the mining studies as part of the PFS, with quotes awaiting to be received for costs of mining and transport of the lake sediment to Kwinana.
The cost estimates will be fed into a detailed financial model, which is being prepared for the PFS.
The company is also awaiting a final report for an update of a substantial part of the Lake Hope alumina resource to the measured resource category. Impact says this will allow a maiden proven reserve to be declared, subject to further mining, testwork, and economic studies.
Further, engineering studies for the proposed process plant in Kwinana is continuing on schedule with a focus on acid reuse.
“We have previously announced that potentially valuable fertiliser by-products can be produced from the processing of the Lake Hope salts,” the MD says.
“Further testwork to determine if a second value-add to the entire project is also underway and this may be incorporated into the PFS if appropriate. It would be an exciting development for the project if it comes to fruition.”
Meanwhile, testwork is progressing with a 20kg sample of intermediate material being prepared for acid leaching as part of the low temperature leach process.
Following the mining lease application being lodged in August, Impact says the negotiation protocol has been received from the Prescribed Body Corporate for the Ngadju Aboriginal People.
The protocol outlines the negotiations 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 body corporate will begin on 16 October 2024.
Lake Hope spans a vast 238km2 area and encompasses several promising salt lakes stretching from Hyden to Norseman in southern Western Australia.
Impact Minerals is an explorer that boasts an extensive portfolio of tenement holdings spanning over 5,500km2, aiming to unlock Australia’s mineral-rich potential.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Impact Minerals
