Trigg’s New Smelter to Produce 5,000 Tonnes of High-Purity Antimony Annually
Trigg Minerals has completed a conceptual study for a cutting-edge antimony smelter using Metso’s Ausmelt technology, aiming to establish a rare mine-to-metal supply chain in the West. The project promises energy efficiency, environmental responsibility, and rapid development to meet growing US demand.
- Conceptual study completed with Metso’s Ausmelt Top Submerged Lance technology
- Smelter designed to produce 5,000 tonnes per annum of high-purity antimony products
- Significantly lower electricity consumption compared to conventional smelting
- Modular design enables rapid expansion to meet increasing US defense demand
- Environmentally responsible process targeting net-zero harmful emissions
A New Chapter in Antimony Supply
Trigg Minerals Limited (ASX – TMG) has taken a significant step forward in securing a critical mineral supply chain for Western markets with the completion of a conceptual study for a state-of-the-art antimony smelter. Partnering with Metso, a global leader in smelting technology, Trigg has designed a facility that promises to produce 5,000 tonnes per annum of high-purity antimony ingot and antimony trisulfide, a vital component in munitions manufacturing.
Energy Efficiency Meets Environmental Responsibility
The smelter concept leverages Metso’s Ausmelt Top Submerged Lance (TSL) technology, which is already proven in over 50 smelters worldwide. This technology allows for precise control of oxygen and fuel injection, resulting in significantly reduced electricity consumption; estimated at just 4,000 MWh per year, markedly lower than traditional smelting methods. Beyond energy savings, the design incorporates advanced off-gas cleaning, sulphur scrubbing, and water treatment systems, aiming for net-zero harmful emissions and setting a new benchmark for environmentally responsible metals production.
Strategic Importance for US Defense and Supply Security
Antimony trisulfide is essential and non-substitutable in over 300 types of munitions, making a secure domestic supply critical for national defense. Colonel Steven Power of the Picatinny Arsenal highlighted the importance of establishing a fully domestic supply chain to safeguard America’s warfighters. Trigg’s project, located on patented land at the Antimony Canyon Project in Utah, is positioned to meet this strategic demand with a modular smelter design that allows for rapid expansion as US requirements grow.
Rapid Development Timeline and Future Prospects
The conceptual study confirms that the smelter could be operational within two years, reflecting an accelerated design and construction pathway. Trigg’s Managing Director, Andre Booyzen, emphasized the breakthrough nature of the project, combining energy efficiency, environmental stewardship, and strategic metals security. With detailed design and stakeholder engagement; including with the newly named Department of War; set to commence, the project is poised to become a cornerstone of Western antimony supply.
Positioning for a Resurgent Antimony Market
Trigg Minerals is advancing antimony development across two Tier-1 jurisdictions, with its flagship Antimony Canyon Project in Utah and the Wild Cattle Creek deposit in Australia. The company’s integrated approach; from mining to metal production; aims to reduce reliance on conflict-affected sources and strengthen supply chains for critical minerals. This smelter project marks a pivotal milestone in that vision, potentially reshaping the antimony market landscape in the West.
Bottom Line?
Trigg Minerals’ smelter project could redefine Western antimony supply, but execution and regulatory hurdles remain key watchpoints.
Questions in the middle?
- What are the projected capital costs and funding sources for the smelter construction?
- How will regulatory approvals and environmental permits impact the development timeline?
- What are the potential market impacts on global antimony prices if the project scales rapidly?
