Fortescue Advances New Copper Arsenic Removal Process
The company successfully processed and sold over 40 tonnes of copper concentrate using its proprietary hydrometallurgical method.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Materials Science
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Fortescue has successfully sold more than 40 tonnes of copper concentrate treated with its innovative Toowong Process. This method efficiently removes arsenic while maintaining high copper retention levels.
Why it matters
High arsenic levels frequently hinder copper production, making this low-temperature process a vital alternative to traditional energy-intensive roasting techniques.
The Toowong Process achieved arsenic reduction below 0.3% while retaining over 99.9% of copper content across seven distinct campaigns. This method operates using a low-temperature, low-pressure hydrometallurgical system.
The players
Fortescue
Fortescue is an Australian-based mining and green energy company that is exploring new technologies to improve the sustainability of global resource production.
The details
The Toowong Process provides a cleaner alternative to energy-intensive roasting methods by separating arsenic from copper concentrates at lower temperatures and pressures. Fortescue conducted seven separate campaigns to demonstrate the efficacy of this technology in purifying copper for global markets.
Timeline
Global copper demand is projected to increase by 61% between 2026 and 2050.
The Big Picture
This innovation marks a significant departure from the historical reliance on energy-intensive smelting and roasting in copper production. It establishes a new paradigm for materials processing that could become essential as the industry scales to meet rising global demand.
This technological shift could lead to more sustainable and cost-effective production of copper, a critical material for global electronics and green infrastructure. Improved refinement methods may eventually help maintain supply stability as demand for the metal grows by an estimated 61% by 2050.
The takeaway
The successful application of the Toowong Process suggests that mineral extraction can become both cleaner and more efficient. As Fortescue looks toward its own exploration future, this technology may set a new standard for purity levels in copper concentrates.
Further reading
For more information on innovations in refining, visit the Materials Science section.
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