The next step in the process to establish one of the largest single-site ultra-high-purity alumina refineries in the world is underway in Gladstone.
Site establishment works have kicked off on the full-scale HPA First project at Yarwun at an expected cost of just over $550 million.
It has already been manufacturing a range of products at its Stage 1 Precursor Production Facility there.
Main image: Orica managing director and chief executive officer Sanjeev Gandhi, Alpha HPA chief operations officer Rob Williamson, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, Alpha HPA managing director Rimas Kairaitis.
Contractors had now commenced site preparation ahead of the imminent commencement of project earthworks for Stage 2 Alpha HPA managing director Rimas Kairaitis said.
“Contractors have started mobilising equipment and support infrastructure, and Ergon have commenced power line burial ahead of commencement of earthworks,” he said.
“Alpha HPA’s construction management team is now fully established in Gladstone.”
The milestone follows the previously announced $400 million government debt facility secured to fund the Stage Two development, plus $180 million raised in equity with strong support from five per cent shareholder Orica.
“With financing in place and line of sight to commercial production in place, Alpha HPA is experiencing a pickup in larger volume sample sales for final testing with global Tier 1 end-users,’’ Mr Kairaitis said.
Stage Two construction would take about two years, with first production anticipated in the second half of 2026, he said.