Core Resources presented a technical paper on the Toowong Process™ at the 2016 ALTA Conference, highlighting its role in addressing the growing issue of arsenic in copper concentrates. The presentation detailed the development, testing, and commercial potential of the process, which provides an environmentally sustainable solution for removing arsenic and other impurities from base metal concentrates.
The Need for Arsenic Removal in Copper Processing
The presence of elevated arsenic levels in copper concentrates is becoming a major challenge for the mining industry. With tightening environmental regulations and stricter smelter acceptance limits—such as China’s 0.5% arsenic limitand Japan’s 0.3% limit—many high-arsenic deposits face marketability issues.
Traditional approaches, such as blending, roasting, or SX-EW processing, have limitations, including high costs, complex waste handling, and regulatory constraints. The Toowong Process™ offers an alternative solution, allowing miners to treat concentrates at the source while significantly reducing environmental impact.
Development and Testing of the Toowong Process™
Core Resources began developing the Toowong Process™ in 2009, focusing on alkaline leaching chemistry to extract arsenic from minerals such as enargite, tennantite, and tetrahedrite. The technology was refined through multiple testing stages, including:
- Mini Pilot Plant (2011): Treated 15 kg/day of copper concentrate, achieving 90-95% arsenic removal while maintaining metal recoveries.
- Maxi Pilot Plant (2012): A $4.5 million integrated pilot campaign, treating 53 kg/day of concentrate, confirming >90% arsenic extraction and arsenic levels in final products below 0.1%.
The pilot programs validated process scalability, demonstrating low reagent consumption, minimal gold losses, and stable residue disposal options.
Commercialisation and Industry Impact
With extensive testwork completed, Core Resources has positioned the Toowong Process™ for commercial adoption. The company is now working with potential industry partners to deploy the technology in real-world mining operations.
The ALTA Conference presentation reinforced the Toowong Process™ as a leading solution for arsenic management, offering:
- On-site arsenic removal to eliminate smelter penalties
- Lower environmental impact compared to traditional methods
- Improved concentrate marketability for high-arsenic copper deposits
Next Steps for the Technology
Following the success of the pilot programs and ALTA presentation, Core Resources is actively:
- Engaging with mining companies for early-stage licensing agreements
- Optimising process design for specific ore types
- Exploring further development with industry partners
For more information, view the full ALTA Conference presentation here.
