Magazine: Sulphur

Chile’s state-run mining company Enami says that it has received an environmental permit for a new $1.7 billion copper smelter, as part of the modernization of its Hernan Videla Lira smelting facility in the northern Atacama region. The new facility will process up to 850,000 t/a of copper concentrate, and its electrolytic refinery will produce up to 240,000 t/a of copper cathodes for use in electronics, construction and renewable vehicles. Enami says that the modernisation will “ensure profitable and sustainable operations, and practically triple the capacity of the old smelter.”

A UK–based energy watchdog, the Impact Investigators Platform (IIP), has dismissed allegations that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery imported substandard gasoline into Nigeria, describing the claims as “technically inaccurate, commercially implausible, and unsupported by verifiable evidence.” The IIP said its independent assessment of shipping data, customs declarations, and refinery process documentation found no indication that the refinery imported or sold Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) with sulphur levels above Nigeria’s approved limit of 50 parts per million (ppm). The investigation followed media reports alleging that a vessel had delivered high-sulphur gasoline to the Dangote Refinery under the guise of locally refined products. However, the IIP clarified that the cargo in question was an intermediate feedstock , a raw material used for refining and not finished gasoline meant for retail.

Paradeep Phosphates Ltd (PPL) has announced a $400 million capacity expansion program, following its October 13th merger with Mangalore Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited (MCFL). This company says that the move aims to strengthen PPL's market position and enhance its production capabilities. The investment will involve increasing granulation capacity by 1.0 million t/a at the Paradeep site, as well as an additional 250,000 t/a of phosphoric acid and 750,000 t/a of sulphuric acid capacity at the company’s new Mangalore site. The expansion is expected to be completed within three years, according to PPL, and is expected to ensure 100% backward integration for fertilizer production, reduce import dependency, and enhance operational capabilities and profitability. low-contaminant phosphate concentrate that allows for easy conversion into purified phosphoric acid. The company has spent over C$100 million advancing the project and has received funding and investment from the Quebec Government.

Worley has announced changes to its Group Executive team to “simplify its structure, streamline governance and accelerate the company’s transition to an AIenabled organization”. Effective from November 1, 2025, Laura Leonard will take up the role of Chief AI and Enterprise Services Officer bringing together a number of corporate functions including Digital, Transformation, Risk, Sustainability, and Corporate Affairs, with three existing Group Executive members moving to report to Laura. This consolidates resources that support operations and reduces the size of Worley’s Group Executive team from twelve to nine.

Join us at the 2025 Sulphur + Sulphuric Acid Expoconference in The Woodlands, Texas, 3-5November, for a truly global gathering of the sulphur and sulphuric acid community, where leading market and technology experts and producers will gather to connect, share knowledge, exchange ideas and learn about market trends and the latest developments in operations, technology, processes and equipment.

Almost one third of sulphuric acid production, and a much greater share of globally traded acid, comes from smelting of base metal sulphides and the recovery of SO2 from flue gases. Smelter acid production continues to increase, particularly from copper, creating an imbalance in the sulphuric acid market.

North Africa remains a major centre of global phosphate production, with significant production in Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt as well as Morocco, and sulphur and sulphuric acid consumption continuing to increase.

Mining giant Glencore says it has no choice but to start work on placing the loss-making Mount Isa copper smelter and Townsville refinery in Australia into care and maintenance until market conditions improve. The company expects to report a A$2.2 billion (US$1.44 billion) loss from the operations between 2025 and 2031.

Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund Danantara has signed a heads of agreement with Shenzhen-based GEM Limited to jointly develop a high-pressure acid leach (HPAL) nickel facility with a capacity of 66,000 t/a of nickel. The project carries an estimated value of $1.42 billion. GEM is a global leader in green metallurgy and circular economy solutions, known for its large-scale recycling of electric vehicle batteries and electronic waste.

Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC) and Arab Potash Company (APC) have signed an agreement to develop an integrated industrial complex for the production of phosphoric acid, purified phosphoric acid, and specialised fertilisers. The facility will span sites in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone and Al Shediyeh, and represents a strategic collaboration between two of Jordan’s largest mining companies. The project aims to shift the country’s fertilizer sector from raw-material exports to value-added manufacturing, aligned with Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision. The complex will focus on high-purity phosphoric acid used in specialty fertilizers, as well as in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics applications. It is also expected to create both direct and indirect employment opportunities, with plans for training programmes for local engineers and technicians.