Minerals plant gets operation extension

MINING company Suvo Strategic Minerals has announced a supplier for the trial of two hydrous kaolin buyers following the license extension of their Pittong plant.

Located on the north-western edge of Golden Plains Shire, the company is Australia’s only miner of hydrous kaolin, a clay-based mineral used as a glossing agent in paper, paints and pigments and makeup.

The extension will see the facility in operation until 2045.

Non-executive chairman Henk Ludik said the extension will allow the company to further realise its goals.

“It unlocks an opportunity for Suvo to continue producing value and being a responsible partner to the community for an additional 16 years,” he said.

“This will help us move closer to our 60,000 tonnes per annum goal with our upgrade project to our processing facility. We project with these extensions we’ll be there in early 2023.

“That higher number obviously translates into more job opportunities, more commercial opportunities for industrial players in the Ballarat region and cements us a critical industrial partner in the community.”

C&D Logistics Group will handle the delivery of 20 tonnes of hydrous kaolin.

The trial process will run until the end of the year and Mr Ludik said its success will potentially lead into another agreement, know as an ‘offtake’ with C&D.

“With that offtake, we’ll be negotiating substantial volumes at premium prices which should secure the potential full capacity of the Pittong operations,” he said.

“That could lead to further expansion projects or fast-tracking other projects, so this is a key enabler in our portfolio.

“In terms of our environmental impact as well, we’re evaluating options to reduce our energy, emissions and water intensity.

“This potential support from the offtake market gives us that runway where we can really plan for the future.”