Under the VPA, Clean TeQ will contribute approximately $10 million towards community enhancements for the first 21 years of Clean TeQ Sunrise, following a formal investment decision to proceed with the mine. Clean TeQ will also contribute approximately $340,000 each year to fund maintenance of the road network it will use, with an additional investment to upgrade various roads and intersections. This will ensure its activity does not place undue pressure on the local road infrastructure. The signing triggered an initial investment of $400,000 into the local region.

Pictured: (L-R): Rick Colless MLC, Parliamentary Secretary for Natural Resources and Western NSW; Lachlan Shire Mayor Cr John Medcalf; Clean TeQ CEO Sam Riggall; Parkes Shire Mayor Cr Ken Keith OAM; Forbes Shire Council Mayor Cr Phyllis Miller OAM

MOD 4 allows Clean TeQ to implement a number of improvements designed to optimise the Clean TeQ Sunrise operation and ensure the full benefits of the project are realised. It also makes sure that Clean TeQ Sunrise is operating under conditions that meet the requirements of current regulations and policy.

Clean TeQ appreciates the input of everyone who participated in the MOD 4 review process – including those who attended the public meeting, made written submissions, or participated in an information session.

Weighing in at just 35kg, the prototype of the Light Rider is about 30% lighter than most conventional e-motorcycles. It can go from zero to 80km/h in seconds and travel close to 60km between charges.

It’s the patented aluminium-magnesium-scandium alloy, Scalmalloy®, that gives the Light Rider its edge. When scandium is added to aluminium it has a profound impact on its physical properties. The alloy is described as weighing the same as regular aluminium, but with a strength relative to titanium. Other benefits include better corrosion resistance and the ability to weld or 3D print the material without losing strength.

Clean TeQ has worked in collaboration with Airbus and APWorks on the development of the scandium market since 2015. Scandium supply from Clean TeQ Sunrise will have the potential to accelerate adoption of scandium in the next generation of lightweight, high-performance aluminium alloys for the transportation and 3D printing sectors. Projects like Light Rider help pave the way for future adoption of aluminium-scandium alloys on a much broader scale.

The Light Rider is 3D printed using Scalmalloy® – an aircraft grade aluminium-scandium alloy.

Clean TeQ Sunrise’s Alexandra Burke spent a beautiful morning under the gums at Bedgerabong Public School learning about the great programs the school is involved with across music, STEM and personal development. Alex also paid a visit to Forbes Public and Forbes North Public School, who, alongside Condobolin Public School, run Breakfast Clubs. Clean TeQ Sunrise is proud to support these Brekky Club initiatives as part of its investment in education. Each child can have an equal start to the day thanks to the Brekky Clubs supplied by schools and volunteers.

Students at the Condobolin Public School Brekky Club with Clean TeQ’s Karen Worthington and program facilitators Olivia Singh and Marilyn Singh.

Principal Paul Faulkner leading the marimba class at Bedgerabong Public School.

Under the contract, MCC will work with Clean TeQ to manage project scope, critical design criteria and equipment and materials selection during the FEED phase. A key deliverable from the contract is an update of the fixed Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract price for the Clean TeQ Sunrise process plant, which is required for Clean TeQ to approve a Final Investment Decision to proceed with construction.

Pictured: The FEED contract signing ceremony took place in Beijing on 21 January 2019 with representatives from Clean TeQ and MCC.

Our CCC is chaired by Lisa Andrews, an independent Chairperson appointed by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment. The CCC met again on 7 March in Condobolin where members were provided with an update on recent and forthcoming Clean TeQ Sunrise activities. Invited guests Christine Fawcett (Manager Environmental Operations) and Gareth Thomas (Principal Inspector) from the Resources Regulator provided members with an overview of the regulator’s role and functions. Minutes and presentations from the meeting are published on the Clean TeQ website and can be viewed here. The CCC meet quarterly, with the next meeting in June.

What will it take to achieve energy independence?

In Australia there is no debate about what the lowest cost source of power generation is – and it’s renewables. The problem has always been that those energy sources are intermittent. The way to resolve that is to store power through battery systems. And from a cost perspective that is still the challenge. Once we can integrate a renewable power system with an energy storage solution at a cost-effective price, we will have an ideal solution.

What about electric cars? A lot of people aspire to drive one, but they have that fear that they’ll run out of juice.

You’re now starting to see a range of EVs enter the market that can drive for up to 500km on a single charge. While some of those are coming out of well-known brands in North America like Tesla, the real story of what’s happening with EVs is taking place in China. You’re seeing enormous growth in both battery production capacity and the automotive sector bringing a whole range of new EVs to the market.

If we look at projections for EVs over the next 10 years, we’re going to have to see a step-change in nickel, cobalt and lithium production just to keep pace with even the most conservative forecasts of EV growth. Australia has a chance to be a very significant player.

How does Clean TeQ fit into this future of renewables?

We focus very much on industrial technologies that find better ways to do things – particularly with a better environmental impact. We run three divisions. The first is focused on battery materials, so we are developing a mine in Central West NSW that will be one of the world’s largest producers of battery raw materials – nickel and cobalt. The second division is in water treatment. We’re building water treatment plants all around the world – they might be in mining operations, power plants or industrial settings. The third division is a new materials division. We’re currently in the process of developing what are called graphene membranes to treat water.

The work of all our divisions hinges on a foundation technology that Clean TeQ has developed over the last 25 years called ion-exchange. If something is in solution, like metals or pollution, we can pull it out selectively using this system. The beauty of using ion-exchange at Clean TeQ Sunrise is that we’ll extract the metals in exactly the form that the battery industry requires.

What will Clean TeQ Sunrise mean for jobs in the local community?

It’s a great area to develop a mine as we have a lot of skilled workers in the region who are very familiar with the mining industry. We’re looking to run the mine with about 300 permanent staff through operations. In construction we’re looking at about 1000 people. It will be a big generator of value for the region once it’s up and running.

This interview has been condensed and edited. Listen to the full interview here.

In addition, we have had members of our Project team working from our Condobolin shop-front, staying locally and appreciating the hospitality shown to them by the community. We are pleased to have members of our team living across the region and enjoying the benefits of residing in Central West NSW.

Be sure to stop and have a chat at:

Trundle Coffee Cart
4 April

Bedgerabong Country Fair
14 April

Clean TeQ Sunrise school holiday BBQ in Condobolin
17 April

Trundle Coffee Cart
3 May

Stay tuned to the Facebook page for details of other community events.