- Metalsearch (MSE) has lodged a patent application for a high purity alumina production process
- The application comes after a research and development agreement was reached between the company’s subsidiary Abercorn Kaolin and the University of Queensland
- The partners have been collaborating for over 12 months to develop a HPA production approach
- The high-value product is being produced from the Abercorn Project which has successfully produced aluminium oxide at an outstanding grade of 99.99 per cent
- Metalsearch owns 100 per cent of the intellectual property associated with the application which allows for optimal revenue opportunities
- Company shares remain steady today and are trading for 1.3 cents each
Metalsearch (MSE) has lodged a patent application for a high purity alumina (HPA) production process.
This application comes after a research and development agreement between the company’s subsidiary, Abercorn Kaolin, and the University of Queensland (UQ).
Over the past year, the School of Chemical Engineering at UQ collaborated with Abercorn Kaolin to develop a novel approach to producing HPA.
“The collaboration has also resulted in Metalsearch gaining a deep understanding of processing techniques and technology, specifically related to the high-quality kaolin which occurs on the Abercorn Project,” Metalsearch Technical Director John Goody said.
In an announcement to the market in mid-October, the Abercorn Project successfully produced aluminium oxide at a grade of 99.99 per cent (4N high purity alumina).
The kaolin mineralisation at the central-Queensland project has the potential for high-volume extraction of higher-grade aluminium oxide feedstock.
Drilling is currently in process to define a maiden inferred mineral resource of kaolin containing high-grade aluminium oxide. It’s expected to be completed shortly with assays to follow.
Metalsearch owns 100 per cent of the Intellectual Property (IP) associated with the patent application.
“MSE retaining 100% ownership over the IP not only means potential improvements to financial metrics required to achieve HPA production, but also opens up opportunities for additional revenue via commercial licensing agreements with third parties,” John stated.
The collaboration partners will continue with research and development to leverage new technologies with aluminous clays to deliver “unique Al2O3 centric compounds.”
Company shares remain steady today and are trading for 1.3 cents each at 3:12 pm AEDT.