Patent filed for new alumina technology
Nordic Mining, together with Institute for Energy Technology (“IFE”) has filed a patent application for a new technology for extraction of alumina from alumina/calcium-rich minerals.
The new technology is an innovative solution for production of alumina from alternative mineral sources such as anorthosite, with the integrated use and storage of CO2.
Today’s alumina production is mainly based on production from bauxite resources through the Bayer process. With the new technology alumina can be produced from alternative mineral sources, and production can be done in a more environmentally friendly manner. In addition to alumina, precipitated calcium carbonate (“PCC”) and silica may be produced as by-products. PCC is a commercial commodity used as filler in paper, plastics and paint. Silica can be used as filler in car tyres and plastics, and in production of cement.
The new multi-product process gives potential for almost full utilization of the mineral resource creating little waste production. Further, the process consumes 500,000 tonnes of CO2 per million tonne of alumina. This corresponds to the CO2 emissions from a medium sized oil and gas platform. The CO2 can either be stored safely and/or utilised as part of a commercial production of PCC.
CEO of Nordic Mining, Ivar S. Fossum comments “The patenting is an important milestone for this technology development. The technology may give new exciting opportunities for the alumina production chain.”
A preliminary techno-economic study shows that the new technology is economically and technically feasible. Going forward, the focus will be to optimise the process, further test production of alumina and by-products, and to run the technology in pilot scale. Nordic Mining and IFE will actively seek additional partners in continuing the project.
For further information please contact Exploration Manager, Mona Schanche, telephone +47 922 81 253.
See also Nordic Mining’s presentation at the 20th Bauxite and Alumina conference in Miami, 26 February 2014:http://www.nordicmining.com/getfile.php/Bilder/Innovation/Alumina/Mona%20Schanche.pdf
Oslo, 21 March 2014
Nordic Mining ASA
Nordic Mining ASA (www.nordicmining.com)
Nordic Mining ASA (“Nordic Mining” or “the Company”) is a resource company with focus on high-end industrial minerals and metals in Norway and internationally. The Company’s project portfolio is of high international standard and holds a significant economic potential. The Company’s assets are mainly in the Nordic region.
Through the subsidiary Nordic Rutile AS Nordic Mining is undertaking large-scale project development at Engebøfjellet in Sogn and Fjordane where the Company has rights to a substantial eclogite deposit with rutile and garnet. Nordic Mining has rights for exploration and production of high-purity quartz in Kvinnherad in Hordaland and develops the project through its subsidiary Nordic Quartz AS. Through the associated company Keliber Oy in Finland, Nordic Mining plans to start mining of lithium bearing spodumene and production of lithium carbonate. Nordic Mining holds exploration rights in the Seiland region in Troms and Finnmark where the Company has discovered a prospective area of sulphide mineralisation. Through the subsidiary Nordic Ocean Resources AS, Nordic Mining is exploring opportunities related to seabed mineral resources.
Nordic Mining is listed on Oslo Axess.