Mastodawn

Now for some good news.

Copper smelting is an expensive business due to its energy input requirements (not helped by the #GasIndustry #ExportRort and the inflated price of domestic gas supplies — such as they are. But that’s another story). This story showcases #Australian #Research (grossely underfunded !) and a new #Copper production process.

“A modular approach. In February, Banksia Minerals, which is commercialising the technology, was awarded $5 million in federal government funding through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to develop the technology into a pilot plant expected in 2028. Banksia Minerals managing director Leigh Staines said, if successful, people could see multiple plants across the region.”

Read more about this exciting new way to ‘smelt’ copper which might save our domestic smelters from oblivion.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-17/cheaper-and-cleaner-copper-technology-potential-mount-isa/106450892

Sceptical mine boss won over by uni's copper refining breakthrough

Copper production in outback Queensland is facing a ticking clock, but researchers say a new refining process developed at the University of Queensland could slash production costs.