ASX-listed aspiring Vietnam project developer Blackstone Minerals has launched a “green” hydrogen study as it continues to look at ways of building a zero-carbon mining and downstream processing operation at its flagship Ta Khoa nickel-copper-PGE project in Vietnam.
The proposed downstream processing set-up – currently the subject of a downstream pre-feasibility study – involves the use of oxygen typically produced by a conventional cryogenic oxygen plant with nitrogen as a by-product.
Perth-based Blackstone now intends also assessing oxygen production via water electrolysis, which it says will generate green hydrogen as a by-product through capitalising on abundant renewable hydro-electric power and water available at Ta Khoa.
Blackstone Minerals Managing Director, Scott Williamson said: “The Ta Khoa project benefits from significant competitive operating advantages including access to renewable hydropower. The decision to commence a green hydrogen study reflects Blackstone’s commitment to minimising its carbon footprint and producing downstream nickel products with the highest ESG credentials.”
Blackstone’s study will entail an evaluation of emerging green hydrogen technologies and their possible application at Ta Khoa, 160km west of Hanoi.
The study will also weigh up capital cost, operating cost and environmental benefits of each option and the potential for the company’s downstream business to tap into renewable hydro-electric power and water sources.
In the event the study shows robust economics, Blackstone says it will consider including green hydrogen in the Ta Khoa base case as well as options to sell the by-product to third parties in light of the ample hydro-electric power and clean water in northern Vietnam.
The $112 million market-cap company says the downstream PFS will investigate construction of four autoclaves designed to process 200,000 tonnes of nickel concentrate per annum as part of its expanded hydrometallurgical downstream refinery capacity strategy.
Feedstock for the autoclaves will be met from both the proposed Ta Khoa nickel-copper-PGE mine and third-party concentrate, it says.
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By Matt Birney
