Austpac’s technologies which are collectively termed the ERMS SR process, have been developed at the Company’s 3,000 tpa Demonstration Plant in Newcastle through a lengthy program of research and development. The successful proving of these technologies in late 2008 has enabled the Company to move into commercialisation. In 2009–2010, the Newcastle EARS Project will employ the EARS and DRI sections of the Demonstration Plant on a commercial scale to treat waste from the steel industry.

Refer to the Glossary to obtain information on technical terminology used in this section.

Click on the coloured boxes below to transfer to a detailed description of each process:

ERMS:
Controlled roasting and rapid leaching in hydrochloric acid, to generate high grade synthetic rutile. EARS:
Efficient regeneration of strong hydrochloric acid from iron chloride solutions produced during the ERMS SR process, or during steel mill cleaning operations. Austpac DRI:
A process to reduce the iron oxide pellets produced by Austpac's EARS acid regeneration process to iron metal pellets. LTR:
Controlled fluid bed roasting at <700°C to make ilmenite easily separated from less magnetic, deleterious gangue minerals.