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Sulphur 417 Mar-Apr 2025

19 March 2025

Glencore looking to extend life of Mt Isa

Glencore looking to extend life of Mt Isa

Glencore says it is working with the Queensland government to secure the future of the Mount Isa copper smelter. The company had previously indicated that it would close the smelter in 2030, but recent media reports suggest that the government is looking at assistance to keep the smelter operational, which currently treats more than 1 million t/a of copper concentrate and supplies sulphuric acid to other industries locally, including phosphate production.

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Devon and Coterra merger creates shale major

Devon Energy has signed a definitive merger agreement with Coterra Energy. The companies say that the combination will create a leading shale operator with a high-quality asset base anchored by a premier position in the economic core of the Delaware Basin. The combined company will be named Devon Energy and will be headquartered in Houston while maintaining a significant presence in Oklahoma City. The companies say that they have identified $1 billion in annual pre-tax synergies which, together with technology-driven capital efficiency gains and optimised capital allocation will drive near and long-term per share growth.

Coromandel starts trial operations at new acid plants

Coromandel International says that it has started trial production at its new sulphuric acid and phosphoric acid plants in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. The company says that this marks a crucial step towards transforming the unit into a fully integrated facility, significantly enhancing production capacity and diminishing reliance on imported raw materials for fertiliser manufacturing. The company is now focusing on a phased ramp-up. The new plants have of 2,000 t/d of sulphuric acid and 650 t/d of phosphoric acid, respectively. The integration of these acid plants is strategic, aligning with Coromandel's objective to strengthen backward integration in its fertiliser manufacturing value chain. By producing key intermediates in-house, the company aims to secure stable supplies, enhance cost efficiencies, and achieve greater self-sufficiency, thereby reducing dependence on imported raw materials. The project aims to replace over 50% of the Kakinada plant's imported acid requirements and mirror the integration levels seen at its Vizag and Ennore facilities.