WMC Resources Limited commended on building Kalgoorlie sulphuric acid plant

4/10/96

Resources Development Minister Colin Barnett has congratulated WMC Resources Ltd for its foresight in building a new $170 million sulphuric acid plant at Kalgoorlie to capture sulphur dioxide emissions from the Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter.

Premier Richard Court officially opened the sulphuric acid plant today in Kalgoorlie.

The plant takes more than 90 per cent of sulphur dioxide, which was formerly vented into the atmosphere by the Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter, and processes it into sulphuric acid.

"This project was triggered by WMC Resources' environmental responsibilities and was brought on line three months earlier than planned," Mr Barnett said.

"The project has also been assisted by cheaper energy through the construction of the Goldfields Gas Pipeline.

"The plant produces sulphuric acid, which is used in mineral production and downstream processing."

Currently CSBP manufactures acid at Kwinana, Albany, Esperance and Geraldton, using imported sulphur or sulphur recovered from local oil refining. The new WMC Resources plant on the Goldfields has the capacity to produce 550,000 tonnes of sulphuric acid per annum, which almost doubles the State's present capacity of 650,000 tonnes.

Sulphuric acid is in demand by the new nickel producers in the Goldfields. Using the acid in high pressure leach technology, nickel metal can be produced from near-surface, lateritic ores. Resolute Samantha's Bulong nickel project, announced last week, has an initial requirement of 200,000 to 250,000 tonnes per annum of acid, while Centaur Mining's Cawse project at Ora Banda requires about 200,000 tonnes.

"The synergy of the Goldfields Gas Pipeline with the acid plant could lead to further opportunities in mineral processing and as a feedstock for chemical industries in other parts of the State," Mr Barnett said.

Media contact: Justine Whittome (09) 222 9699