Orbite ramps up alumina production

Exploration Orbite has ramped up alumina production at its Cap-Chat, Quebec, Canada, plant.

Its production mode of alumina has changed from a batch process to a semi‐continuous  process. The increased production means  the  company  can meet demand as well as prepare for a the transition of the plant to a High‐Purity  Alumina production facility.  

The extra capability allows the plant to potentially operate full‐scale industrial conditions over three daily shifts  allowing  for  operations  to  produce,  24/7  days  a  week. 

Analyses carried out  by  independent  groups  including SINTEF and INRS,  have confirmed that the physicochemical properties of Orbite’s alumina material meet or exceed the standard specifications of the aluminium industry.  

These specifications, which include bulk density, particle size and specific surface, are specific to the aluminium smelter industry.   

Production at Orbite’s plant used the first 400t of an aluminous clay bulk sample collected from a deposit 23m south of Grande‐Vallee in 2010.

A new bulk sample of more than 3000t has been extracted and will be shipped to the Cap‐Chat plant. This sample will enable the continued operations of the facility for another year.

About 250-300t  of  clay  have  already  been  processed  at  the  Cap‐Chat  facility. The company has produced  about  70t of  alumina  and  associated  products  and  has  begun  making  the  necessary investments in order to convert its Cap‐Chat facility for continuous production of high‐purity  alumina.

 The alumina, alumina hydrates and aluminum leachate samples have been used in producing external tests and analyses with research centres of excellence in Canada and Europe, in the production  of aluminium products and samples. These will be used for third party validation and testing with engineering development partners, for continuous testing as well as  economic  optimisation.