Tag: Production

Delegates gathered in Morocco in September for AFA's Technical Conference. We present selected highlights from this year’s event.

While sulphuric acid production is dominated by sulphur burning or metallurgical acid routes, pyrite roasting remains a niche sector, particularly in China.

First gas from Abu Dhabi’s 1.5 billion cfd Ghasha sour gas concession will be reached in early 2026, according to project partner PTTEP. The gas will come from the first phase 340 million cfd Dalma development. The Ghasha project is being developed by ADNOC (70%), Eni (10%), Thailand’s PTTEP (10%) and Russia’s Lukoil (10%). The outlook, published in PTTEP’s Q3 results, is a more cautious assessment than that provided by Eni in its own Q3 results. Eni said it was optimistic that the development would start up by the end of 2025.

While north Africa’s sulphur demand is dominated by its phosphate industry, south of the Sahara it is copper, cobalt and uranium mining, leaching and smelting that hold sway over acid production and demand.

Queensland-based SMAC (Strategic:Mi nerals:Acid:Critical) Developments says that it plans to list on the Toronto Stock Exchange in December to raise $1.3 million to fund a final feasibility study. The company is attempting to develop sulphuric acid production in northern Queensland to supply local industries. The company plans to initially build a 180,000 t/a sulphur burning acid plant at a site at Cloncurry, followed by a second phase which would involve developing a pyrite roasting plant to generate 550-600,000 t/a of sulphuric acid.

Travertine Technologies, Inc., has began operations at its demonstration plant in New York state. The core Travertine process demonstrated at this plant combines three major unit operations: salt-splitting electrolysis, caustic direct air capture, and mineralisation. This process produces sulphuric acid, calcium carbonate, and green hydrogen from waste gypsum and carbon dioxide captured directly from the air. The demonstration plant will produce 125 t/a of sulfuric acid, 125 t/a of calcium carbonate, and 55 t/a of carbon dioxide sequestration. The plant will supply sustainable sulphuric acid for local partner Sabin Metal Corporation's precious metals recycling and refining business.

Chile’s state-run mining company Enami says that it has received an environmental permit for a new $1.7 billion copper smelter, as part of the modernization of its Hernan Videla Lira smelting facility in the northern Atacama region. The new facility will process up to 850,000 t/a of copper concentrate, and its electrolytic refinery will produce up to 240,000 t/a of copper cathodes for use in electronics, construction and renewable vehicles. Enami says that the modernisation will “ensure profitable and sustainable operations, and practically triple the capacity of the old smelter.”

Ukrainian drones attacked the Azot chemical plant in Perm Krai on October 3rd, according to regional Governor Dmitry Makhonin. The strike reportedly disrupted production at the facility, one of Russia’s largest nitrogen fertilizer producers, located about 1,700 km from Ukrainian-controlled territory, which produces ammonia, urea, and ammonium nitrate.

Mining giant Glencore says it has no choice but to start work on placing the loss-making Mount Isa copper smelter and Townsville refinery in Australia into care and maintenance until market conditions improve. The company expects to report a A$2.2 billion (US$1.44 billion) loss from the operations between 2025 and 2031.

CSV Midstream Solutions says that startup of the Albright gas plant in Alberta is likely to be delayed due to issues with the sulphur recovery plant. Commissioninf began in June 2025, with expectations of full-scale operations to commence in July 2025. However, a faulty valve at the SRU has necessitated a root cause analysis for its failure. The plant will process 150 million cfd of sour gas once operational.