Tivan (ASX:TVN) has successfully completed a ‘mini-pilot’ program for the Speewah Fluorite Project in Western Australia, producing 195kg of acid-grade fluorspar at 98.60% calcium fluoride.
The acid-grade fluorspar is significantly above the 97% benchmark, confirming that Speewah can deliver a ‘premium-quality’ product suitable for hydrofluoric acid production.
The program was undertaken at ALS Metallurgy in Balcatta, Western Australia. Samples from the program will be provided to up to 14 end users worldwide to facilitate further product assessment and marketing by the joint venture partner, Sumitomo Corporation (TYO:8053).
The program has met its major technical goals, producing a sufficient number of samples for Sumitomo Corporation’s next marketing phase.
Tivan and Sumitomo Corporation are now shipping the ‘high-grade’ acid-grade samples to the end users, with an emphasis on Japanese customers.
Tivan is advancing a Definitive Feasibility Study for an Australian-first fluorite mining and processing operation to produce acid-grade fluorspar, in a joint venture with Sumitomo Corporation and the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) via its subsidiary, Japan Fluorite Corporation (JFC).
Executive Chairman Grant Wilson says the program’s results are an ‘Australian first’ in acid-grade fluorspar, highlighting Speewah as a mineral resource.
“The results are a landmark technical achievement, as well as a fundamentally important commercial driver, empowering our strategic partner, Sumitomo Corporation, to progress the marketing campaign for the project with confidence,” Wilson says.
Tivan, Sumitomo Corporation, and JFC previously agreed on a term sheet for the offtake of up to 100% of the product produced over the life of the project.
Under the term sheet, JFC will acquire up to 100% of the product, with a commitment to purchase a total of 80% of the offtake on a take-or-pay basis.
Final offtake terms are subject to the parties agreeing and executing a full-form binding offtake agreement, targeted for Q3 2026.
Write to JC Villarba at Mining.com.au
Images: Tivan
