The Australian Aluminium Council welcomes ABx group, the third member of the bauxite exploration class

On July 19, the Australian Aluminium Council announced the joining of ABx Group (ABx) as its new council member. The businesses of bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminium smelting, and downstream processing are all represented in Australia by the Australian Aluminium Council.

The Sunrise Bauxite Project (a 50:50 joint venture with Alumin Pty Ltd) is now the focus of investigation and approval efforts by ABx. Sunrise, consisting of a bauxite mine on the Binjour plateau and port operations in Bundaberg, Queensland, is expected to produce 500,000 tonnes of gibbsite-rich trihydrate bauxite annually before ramping up to its 2 million-ton maximum operational capacity. Depending on the required licences, the mine might start operating in 2023. Additionally, ABx is conducting exploratory efforts in northern Tasmania that might result in additional potential.

“ABx is the Council’s third member in the bauxite exploration class, with the industry demonstrating active exploration in new regional areas across Australia. Bauxite is the critical mineral used to produce aluminium which will be widely used in the global transition to a clean energy future. Australia’s bauxite mining has a high global reputation for land management, biodiversity conservation and rehabilitation. ABx membership demonstrates the importance the industry places on sharing this experience with new entrants before mining even starts,” said Marghanita Johnson, CEO of the Australian Aluminium Council.

Alcore Limited, a division of ABx, is also planning to construct a $16.4 million aluminium smelting bath recycling facility at Bell Bay, Tasmania. The facility is designed to convert 1,600 tonnes of aluminium smelter bath annually into aluminium fluoride, a necessary chemical for the smelting of aluminium, for which Australia presently imports all of its needs. The Australian Government's Modern Manufacturing Initiative has awarded the Alcore factory $7.5M to boost plant building.

“ABx Group is delighted to be joining the Australian Aluminium Council. We are active in two sectors of the aluminium value chain, and are a strong supporter of the Council’s objective to grow the aluminium industry in Australia. We plan for our bauxite projects and aluminium fluoride technology to increase the resilience of the Australian aluminium industry,” said Mark Cooksey, CEO of ABx Group.

“The potential to establishment domestic aluminium fluoride production will help protect the aluminium industry from supply chain disruption, increase Australia’s manufacturing resilience and capability. This increase in the security of supply for Australian aluminium smelters will also create highly skilled manufacturing jobs, and the production of aluminium fluoride from aluminium smelter bath is an excellent illustration of the circular economy,” added Johnson.