Chemetics, Worley’s technology and solutions provider for sulphuric acid and other specialty chemical facilities, has been awarded a contract to install its CORE-SO2 sulphuric acid technology at Arafura Rare Earths Ltd’s Nolans Project in Australia.

Located 135 km north of Alice Springs in Australia’s Northern Territory, this greenfield mine will extract and process neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr). These rare earth elements are used to create ultra-strong permanent magnets for a range of applications, such as household electronics and high-performance motors for electric vehicles.

Chemetics is delivering the detailed engineering and supply of Chemetics’ CORE-SO2™ technology for the site’s sulphuric acid plant, along with the associated oxygen plant.

“Arafura Rare Earths is very pleased to be working with Chemetics Inc as a global leader that is able to provide the Nolans Project with highly efficient, robustly engineered and low-emission sulphuric acid technology. This sulphuric acid plant represents a key component in achieving our sustainability goals,” added Stewart Watkins, General Manager Projects at Arafura.

“With this project, we will assist in Arafura’s goal to be a trusted global leader and supplier of choice for sustainably mined and processed rare earth products. With each year of plant operation, more than 700 mt of SO2 will be converted to usable sulphuric acid rather than emitted into the atmosphere,” said Andrew Barr, Chemetics Inc. President.