Core Resources’ Toowong Process™ was recognised as a finalist in the Australian Innovation Challenge in the Minerals and Energy category. The awards, which celebrate pioneering Australian technologies, highlighted the Toowong Process™ for its ability to remove arsenic and antimony from base metal concentrates, providing a sustainable solution to a long-standing challenge in the mining industry.
The awards ceremony took place in Canberra on 25 November 2015, with Core Resources’ Lachlan MacDonald attending the event to represent the team.
Addressing a Critical Industry Challenge
Arsenic and antimony are common impurities in base metal concentrates, creating significant environmental, regulatory and processing issues for mining operations. These elements can:
- Reduce the marketability of metal concentrates
- Cause operational challenges in smelters, leading to high penalties or outright rejection
- Pose environmental and health risks due to their toxic nature
The Toowong Process™ offers a clean, efficient alternative to traditional arsenic management methods. By enabling the removal of arsenic on-site at the mine, it reduces reliance on smelters, minimises environmental risks and allows mining companies to produce cleaner, higher-value concentrates.
What Makes the Toowong Process™ Unique?
Developed by Core Resources, the Toowong Process™ is an atmospheric leaching technology that removes arsenic and antimony without the need for high-pressure or high-temperature processing. This innovative approach:
- Uses low-cost reagents to dissolve arsenic and antimony while preserving valuable base metals
- Produces a stable residue that meets strict environmental standards
- Allows for on-site implementation, reducing transport costs and risks
Extensive pilot plant testing has confirmed the process is scalable, with successful applications in treating concentrates from various global mining operations.
The Australian Innovation Challenge and Industry Recognition
The Australian Innovation Challenge is a national competition run by The Australian newspaper, supported by Shell and the federal Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. The awards recognise cutting-edge technologies across industries, including mining, energy and environmental solutions.
Core Resources’ team—Peter Rohner, Dr Duncan Turner, David Nakon, Lachlan MacDonald and Peter Kunst—was nominated for the award in recognition of their contributions to the development of the Toowong Process™. The event featured key government representatives, including Wyatt Roy MP, Assistant Minister for Innovation, and Senator the Hon Kim Carr, who launched the awards five years earlier.
Advancing the Toowong Process™ Beyond the Awards
Since receiving recognition at the Australian Innovation Challenge, Core Resources has continued to develop and commercialise the Toowong Process™. This includes:
- Securing an Accelerating Commercialisation Grant to further refine the technology
- Winning the ATC Mining Technology Award for its impact on arsenic management
- Forming industry collaborations to implement the process in real-world mining operations
The Toowong Process™ represents a major step forward in sustainable mineral processing, helping mining companies meet increasingly strict environmental regulations while improving product quality and marketability.
For more information on the Toowong Process™, visit here or contact us today.
