Hudson Produces Specialty Grade Calcined Alumina Using White Mountain Anorthosite
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Dec 11, 2014) - HUDSON RESOURCES INC. (the "Company") - (TSX VENTURE:HUD)(OTCQX:HUDRF) is pleased to announce that it has produced calcined alumina suited to specialty non-metallurgical applications using the calcium feldspar anorthosite from its White Mountain Project in Greenland. Specialty grades of alumina (such as calcined, white fused and tabular alumina) are typically used for refractories and ceramics. These types of alumina command a significant premium over smelter grade alumina (SGA), which is primarily used in the production of aluminum. Alumina production is one of three potential revenue streams Hudson is pursuing for the White Mountain project.
Hudson has produced a high quality specialty grade alumina with the following key attributes:
- High quality Alpha alumina content measured at 99.8%.
- High alumina content of 99.5%, including the loss of ignition (LOI) measured at 0.37%.
- Very low soda content (<0.05%), a requirement for high tech electronic and ceramic applications.
- Fine median particle size of 3.5 micrometres following grinding.
- Flat tabular particles based on scanning electron microscope images.
- BET measured surface area of 4.1 m2/g which compares favorably with other reactive aluminas.
James Tuer, Hudson's President, stated, "We are very excited about these results. We initially developed a process to produce smelter grade alumina using our unique calcium feldspar feedstock. The success of that program and the higher purity product it generated naturally lead to investigating the potential of producing a higher value added specialty alumina for non-metallurgical applications. Specialty aluminas typically sell for 2 to 5 times the price of SGA in a robust market of around 3 million tonnes per year."
The following chart compares various specifications of specialty alumina to the particles created by Hudson.
| Brown Fused Alumina(1) | Calcined Alumina(2) | White Fused Alumina(1) | Tabular Alumina(1) | Hudson Alumina | |
| Al2O3 % | 94 - 97 | 99.5 | 99.5 - 99.7 | 99.3 - 99.6 | 99.5 |
| SiO2 % | 0.8 - 1.5 | 0.01 - 0.03 | 0.01 - 0.05 | 0.01 - 0.03 | 0.05(3) |
| TiO2 % | 1.5 - 2.5 | Not Defined | 0.01 - 0.05 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Fe3O3 % | 0.15 - 0.5 | 0.012 - 0.04 | 0.02 - 0.10 | 0.04 | 0.01 |
| Alkaline Earths(4)% | 0.4 - 0.6 | 0.03 | 0.03 - 0.05 | 0.015 - 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Alkalies(5)% | 0.2 - 0.4 | <0.3 | 0.16 - 0.4 | 0.3 - 0.33 | 0.04 |
| Indicative Price(6) | High/Low | High/Low | High/Low | None Quoted | N/A |
| FOB China $/tonne | $745/$710 | ||||
| CIF Europe EUR/tonne | EUR905/EUR850 | ||||
| FOB US Refinery $/tonne | $850/$810 |
Note:
(1) Source: http://www.almatis.com/media/4103/almatis_complete_alumina_expertise-rwf-3-2013.pdf
(2) Medium Soda Content. Source: http://alteo-alumina.com/sites/default/files/Ressources/ALTEO%20Refractories%20brochure_0.pdf
(3) Feedstock had 0.01% SiO2. Increase due to Quartz Tube calcine contamination
(4) Includes Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra
(5) Includes Li, Na, K
(6) Source http://www.indmin.com December 4, 2014
As a result of these excellent laboratory results, Hudson has initiated a scoping study to determine preliminary economics based on annually producing 250,000 tonnes of specialty grade alumina together with silica and calcium-silicate byproducts. Hudson has contracted Mike Dry, of Arithmetek Inc, to model the flow sheet using Aspen Plus, a leading chemical process simulation software package. As well, Ted Dickson, of TAK Industrial Mineral Consultancy, has been contracted to provide a comprehensive market and pricing report on specialty non-metallurgical grades of calcined alumina. Hudson expects to be in a position to announce the results of a preliminary economic assessment in January 2015.
Testwork has confirmed alumina recovery to be greater than 90%, equivalent to 270 kg of Al2O3 per 1000 kg of anorthosite. This work has been undertaken at SGS Canada Inc.'s Lakefield facility under the direction of Hudson's consulting metallurgist, John R. Goode, P.Eng. Recent testwork expands upon Hudson's hydrochloric leach flowsheet to extract alumina, and other potentially valuable by-products, from the White Mountain anorthosite (see news release NR2014-01 February 19, 2014). The Department of Mining and Materials Engineering at McGill University determined the alpha alumina content, particle size distribution and BET. The Hudson process also produces amorphous silica and calcium silicate as by-products and these samples are being evaluated.
The White Mountain Anorthosite project is 100% owned by Hudson. The anorthosite has three potential high-value applications which are being investigated, as follows:
- A new source of feedstock to the high end fiberglass (E-glass) industry;
- A new source of alumina to supply aluminum smelters
- A new source of filler and coatings material, which are used extensively by the plastics, paints and paper industries
The company is rapidly advancing the E-Glass project at White Mountain. The mine permitting process is underway and the Company expects that a mine exploitation permit will be granted in the first half of 2015 which will allow for the commencement of construction shortly thereafter. As previously reported (NR 2014-04, July 29, 2014), a successful commercial furnace test of Hudson's anorthosite was completed by Owens Corning. Negotiations are ongoing with several E-Glass producers in North America, Asia and Europe.
With approximately $1.4 million in working capital, Hudson has sufficient funds to execute its plans over the next six months.
John R. Goode is the Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101, who reviewed the preparation of the scientific and technical metallurgical information in this press release.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
James Tuer, President
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes certain forward-looking statements or information. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release, including, without limitation, statements regarding plans for the completion of a financing and the intended terms and use of proceeds thereof, and other future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's plans or expectations include market prices, general economic, market or business conditions, regulatory changes, timeliness of government or regulatory approvals and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.