Infinity Mining (ASX:IMI) says its partner Orivium Global has commenced construction of the Alpha Plant in Orange, New South Wales, to test copper extraction from the company’s Cangai waste stockpiles.
The plant will use Orivium’s Super Oxidiser extraction technology under a partnership governed by two memorandums of cooperation (MOCs) between the companies.
Orivium is fully funding construction and lease costs. It holds a long-term lease over an industrial site in Orange, with all required approvals in place.
First concreting and power installation have commenced, with equipment and materials being procured.
Orivium expects the plant to be operational within six months. The plant will initially process copper-bearing smelter slag and ex-mine oxide dumps from the Cangai Copper Project, with plans to test additional feedstocks, including e-waste, in the future.
The Alpha Plant is a de-risking milestone for Infinity, providing operating and engineering data to inform potential larger-scale processing operations. Subject to successful processing and sale of recovered metals, Alpha could generate initial processing revenue for Infinity.
The modular design allows for future expansion, subject to successful testing, economic viability, feedstock availability, and approvals.
Orivium Executive Chair Emma Clark says securing the site and commencing construction marks a ‘major milestone’ in the company’s work under the MOCs.
“The site at Orange provides an ideal strategic location with excellent infrastructure and skilled labour and is well suited for us to progress our metal-extraction goals with Infinity,” Clark states.
“It represents Australia’s first deployment of our unique technology.”
Clark says Orivium has a “line of sight to initial production”.
How the Super Oxidiser works
Orivium’s technology operates at ambient temperature using a regenerative Super Oxidiser system. The technology recovers copper, precious metals, nickel, rare earths, and critical minerals.
It differs from conventional extraction methods that rely on high-temperature processing, toxic solvents, or froth flotation.
The arrangement reflects an alternative ownership structure under the second MOC, with Orivium owning and operating the plant under a service, leasing, or licensing model with revenue sharing.
Commercial arrangements for Infinity’s use of the plant will be documented before processing campaigns commence.
Infinity will supply feedstock from Cangai, beginning with a representative bulk sample of waste material, and provide in-kind support through existing staff and directors.
The company will also continue discussions on government funding opportunities and additional feedstock supply for future projects.
Infinity Mining holds about 1,310km² of tenements across Victoria’s Melbourne Zone and Western Australia’s East Pilbara region. Its tenements are prospective for copper, gold, base metals, and lithium.
Orivium Global is a Singapore-headquartered deep-tech company developing proprietary metal-recovery technology for low-grade ores, mine waste, and e-waste streams.
Write to JC Villarba at Mining.com.au
Images: Infinity Mining
