High-Purity Alumina: Queensland Pacific Metals Game-Changer for Tech Industries

Queensland Pacific Metals Ltd (ASX:QPM) has made a significant stride in the high-tech materials sector, revealing that its US marketing sample of high purity alumina (HPA) has achieved an assay of 5N (99.999%) purity. This result was confirmed by the renowned Eurofins EAG Laboratories, marking a significant milestone in HPA production and quality. This result is particularly notable considering it was achieved with a single stage of purification/crystallisation, while the commercial plant design of QPM envisages two stages, with potentially even greater purity.

The assay was conducted on a 5kg sample, part of a larger campaign produced in collaboration with Lava Blue at the HPA Demonstration Plant. The initial analysis at Lava Blue’s PRISM facility had already indicated a trend towards 5N purity, but the recent independent verification by Eurofins EAG Laboratories cements QPM’s capability in achieving high-grade HPA suitable for premium markets. The tested samples, part of six ~10kg blends, not only demonstrated exceptional purity but also crucially confirmed the complete conversion to HPA with less than 1 ppm of chloride, ensuring a strong recovery process.

This development is not just a technical achievement; it represents a significant opportunity for Queensland Pacific Metals. HPA is a critical material in the manufacturing of synthetic sapphire, which is used in LED lights, semiconductor wafers for the electronics industry, and scratch-resistant sapphire glass for watches and smartphones. The higher the purity of HPA, the more valuable it is to these high-tech industries. The 5N HPA, with its 99.999% purity, commands a premium over 4N HPA, opening up lucrative avenues for QPM in the tech materials market.

Looking ahead, the successful assay and subsequent readiness of marketing samples for distribution to potential off-takers in the US signal a new phase for QPM. The company’s TECH Project, with its dual-stage purification and crystallisation process, is set to produce HPA of even higher purity, thereby enhancing its commercial appeal and potential strength in production.

As demand for high-tech applications continues to grow, the need for materials like high purity alumina will only increase. QPM’s ability to produce HPA at 5N purity not only positions the company as a notable player in the market but also contributes to the advancement of technologies that rely on high-quality materials.