Blackstone testing hydrogen’s ability to unlock “green nickel” - The Pick Online Magazine

Blackstone Minerals Limited (ASX:BSX) continues to expand its commitment to producing green nickel and has unveiled the first of several initiatives being considered as part of the company’s aim to develop a zero-carbon mining operation and downstream processing facility at Blackstone’s flagship Ta Khoa Nickel-Copper-PGE Project in Vietnam.

Managing Director, Scott Williamson, said the company’s current Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) requires the use of oxygen in the downstream processing plant, Typically, the oxygen is produced by a conventional cryogenic oxygen plant with nitrogen as a by-product.

However, the company will investigate producing oxygen via the electrolysis of water, which will produce “green” hydrogen as by-product through the utilising of abundant renewable hydro- electric power and water available at Ta Khoa (Green Hydrogen Study).

The Green Hydrogen Study will include:

• An investigation into emerging green hydrogen technologies and their potential application at Ta Khoa
• A trade-off assessment of the economic (capital cost and operating cost) and environmental benefits of each option
• Assessment of the potential for downstream business to tap into renewable hydro- electric power and water sources.

The opportunity to produce a green hydrogen by-product at Ta Khoa strengthens Blackstone’s aim to develop a zero-carbon mining operation and downstream processing facility at Ta Khoa. The following key points outline how the green hydrogen concept fits into the Company’s strategy:

• Oxygen is required as in input into the POX process and the Company believes that water electrolysis with hydrogen as a by-product may be an economic and sustainable option.
• Green hydrogen for use in hydrogen fuel cells, is growing in favour as an alternate, complimentary technology to battery electric vehicles;

oThe company intends to use this by-product hydrogen as a fuel for its own concentrate haulage road fleet

oAs new hydrogen fuel cell mining fleet becomes commercially proven, the company will also look to integrate hydrogen fuel cell vehicles into their mining fleet.

The Green Hydrogen Study will also assess the potential to offset the Downstream Business Unit (DBU) refinery operating costs through the sale of Green Hydrogen.

Should this study yield positive economics, Blackstone will look to include Green Hydrogen into the Ta Khoa base case and consider options to commercialise production for sale to third parties given the abundance of hydroelectric power and clean water in the north of Vietnam.

The Ta Khoa Project benefits from significant competitive operating advantages including access to renewable hydropower,” Mr Williamson said.

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.”

For more information please visit: https://www.blackstoneminerals.com.au/