Fortune Minerals Signs Waste Disposal Agreement with SECURE for Planned Alberta Hydrometallurgical Facility
Fortune Minerals Alberta Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortune Minerals Limited, has entered into a strategic backstop agreement with SECURE Waste Infrastructure Corp. to provide waste management and disposal services for the company’s proposed hydrometallurgical processing facility in Lamont County, Alberta. The collaboration marks another important milestone in the development of Fortune’s integrated critical minerals initiative known as the NICO Project, which aims to produce a reliable North American supply of cobalt, gold, bismuth, and copper products for a wide range of industries.
The Alberta hydrometallurgical facility will serve as the downstream processing hub for concentrates produced from the planned NICO mine and concentrator located in the Northwest Territories (NWT). The refinery is expected to process both concentrates from the NICO deposit and potentially other third-party feed sources to produce refined critical mineral products used in energy transition technologies, advanced electronics, and defence applications.
Waste Management Planning for the Alberta Facility
Under the newly signed agreement, SECURE will investigate potential locations for a Class 1A deep disposal injection well that will handle brine waste generated by the hydrometallurgical process. The company will also study the infrastructure required to support the facility, including pumping stations and pipelines needed to transport brine waste safely from the refinery to the injection well.
This evaluation process will include detailed engineering assessments and cost estimates for the proposed infrastructure. SECURE will also take responsibility for securing the required permits, regulatory approvals, and operational authorizations from the relevant governmental and environmental agencies overseeing industrial waste disposal operations in Alberta.
Once these preliminary investigations and engineering studies are completed, both companies expect to finalize a comprehensive agreement that will govern the development and operation of the injection well infrastructure. The definitive agreement is anticipated to cover the first ten years of operations at the Alberta refinery.
In addition to liquid waste disposal, the agreement also outlines plans for the management of solid residues produced during the refining process. Approximately 200,000 metric tonnes of process residue solids are expected to be generated annually by the hydrometallurgical facility. These materials will be transported to a government-approved Class 2 landfill where they will be disposed of in accordance with provincial environmental regulations.
Strengthening Environmental Management Strategies
Waste disposal solutions are a critical component of modern mineral processing projects, particularly those designed to support emerging technologies such as electric vehicles, battery storage systems, and renewable energy infrastructure. By partnering with SECURE, Fortune aims to ensure that waste generated from the hydrometallurgical process is managed responsibly and efficiently.
SECURE is recognized as a major provider of environmental and waste management infrastructure across Western Canada, with extensive experience in industrial waste treatment, disposal services, and environmental compliance. Its expertise includes the design and operation of deep injection wells, landfills, and waste treatment facilities that serve a variety of industries including oil and gas, mining, and industrial manufacturing.
Fortune’s leadership believes that leveraging SECURE’s technical capabilities will allow the Alberta hydrometallurgical facility to implement a cost-effective and environmentally responsible waste management strategy while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards.
Executive Perspective on the Agreement
Robin Goad, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fortune Minerals, emphasized the importance of this partnership in supporting the broader development of the NICO Project.
“We are pleased to partner with SECURE for the development, construction, and operation of a 1A deep brine injection well and a solid waste disposal solution for the waste products that will be generated from our Alberta hydrometallurgical facility,” Goad said. “SECURE is a trusted local expert in waste management systems and the relationship provides a cost-effective and environmentally responsible solution for the treatment and disposal of refinery waste products.”
The agreement represents another step toward advancing the company’s vertically integrated critical minerals supply chain, which is designed to strengthen domestic production capacity in North America.
Overview of the NICO Project
The NICO Project is one of Fortune Minerals’ flagship development assets and represents a comprehensive approach to mining and processing multiple critical minerals. The project includes a proposed open-pit and underground mine located in the Northwest Territories, along with a concentrator facility that will produce mineral concentrates for further processing.
These concentrates will then be transported to the planned hydrometallurgical refinery in Alberta, where advanced metallurgical processes will be used to extract and refine cobalt, bismuth, and copper into commercially valuable products. Gold will also be recovered as part of the processing sequence.
The NICO deposit contains more than one million ounces of gold in situ, in addition to significant quantities of cobalt and bismuth. Bismuth is a relatively rare metal used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, metallurgical alloys, and environmentally friendly substitutes for lead in various industrial applications.
Cobalt, meanwhile, plays a crucial role in the production of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, portable electronics, and grid-scale energy storage systems. As global demand for battery materials continues to rise, securing reliable supply chains for cobalt and other critical minerals has become a strategic priority for many countries.
Supporting North American Supply Chain Security
The NICO Project has the potential to contribute significantly to supply chain resilience for critical minerals in North America. Currently, a substantial portion of global cobalt processing capacity is concentrated in a limited number of countries, creating supply risks for manufacturers in Western economies.
By developing a vertically integrated project that includes both mining and refining operations within Canada, Fortune aims to reduce reliance on overseas processing and provide a stable supply of battery-grade cobalt sulphate to North American markets.
In addition to cobalt sulphate, the project is expected to produce bismuth ingots and copper cement, both of which have important industrial and technological applications. The combination of these products positions the NICO Project as a diversified source of strategic materials.
The project’s integrated design also offers potential efficiency benefits. By linking the mine and concentrator in the Northwest Territories with a dedicated refinery in Alberta, Fortune intends to streamline the supply chain and maximize value from the extracted minerals.
Environmental and Regulatory Considerations
As with any major mining and refining project, environmental management plays a central role in the development of the NICO Project. The planned waste disposal infrastructure being evaluated by SECURE is designed to meet strict environmental standards while minimizing the impact of industrial waste on surrounding ecosystems.
Deep injection wells, for example, are commonly used in industrial operations to safely dispose of liquid waste by injecting it into deep geological formations that are isolated from groundwater resources. These systems are carefully regulated and monitored to ensure they operate safely and effectively.
Similarly, the use of approved landfill facilities for solid residues ensures that waste materials are handled in accordance with provincial regulations governing industrial waste disposal.
Fortune has indicated that it remains committed to implementing best practices in environmental stewardship as it advances the NICO Project through the development and permitting stages.
Technical Oversight and Compliance
The scientific and technical information presented in connection with the NICO Project has been reviewed and approved by qualified professionals in accordance with Canadian regulatory standards.
Robin Goad, M.Sc., P.Geo., President and Chief Executive Officer of Fortune Minerals, and Alex Mezei, M.Sc., P.Eng., the company’s Chief Metallurgist, have reviewed the technical disclosures related to the project. Both individuals are recognized as Qualified Persons under Canada’s National Instrument 43-101, which governs the disclosure of scientific and technical information related to mineral projects.
Their oversight ensures that the project’s technical details and operational plans meet the transparency and accuracy requirements established for publicly listed mining companies.
Moving Toward Project Development
The agreement with SECURE represents another step forward for Fortune Minerals as it continues to advance the NICO Project toward full development. Waste management infrastructure is a crucial component of any hydrometallurgical operation, and early planning in this area helps reduce risks associated with permitting, environmental compliance, and operational costs.
As engineering work progresses and regulatory approvals are pursued, Fortune expects to refine its project plans and move closer to constructing the Alberta refinery and the associated mining infrastructure in the Northwest Territories.
If successfully developed, the NICO Project could play a meaningful role in strengthening North America’s supply of critical minerals while supporting industries that are central to the global energy transition and technological innovation.
Source Link: https://www.businesswire.com/
