Fortescue copper–arsenic Toowong Process: project economics lens for mine planners
Reviewed by Joe Ashwell

First reported on Australian Mining
30 Second Briefing
Fortescue has sold more than 40 tonnes of copper concentrate treated with its patented Toowong Process, a low-temperature, low-pressure hydrometallurgical circuit that removes arsenic from copper concentrates. Developed and tested over four years after Fortescue acquired the technology, the process targets a longstanding penalty element constraint that limits saleability of high-arsenic ores. Commercial deployment could materially change project economics for arsenic-rich copper deposits, enabling miners to convert previously marginal or stranded resources into exportable concentrate streams.
Technical Brief
- Toowong Process operates at low temperature and low pressure, avoiding autoclaves and high-pressure oxidation.
- Hydrometallurgical circuit selectively dissolves arsenic-bearing phases while retaining copper in a saleable concentrate.
- Process generates a separate arsenic stream, enabling controlled fixation and storage rather than dilution into smelter feed.
- Low-temperature conditions reduce materials-of-construction demands compared with conventional high-temperature arsenic-removal routes.
- For similar high-arsenic orebodies, such pre-treatment could shift cut-off grades and expand economically mineable envelopes.
Our Take
Copper appears in 289 keyword‑matched pieces in our database, but arsenic is far less common, signalling that Fortescue’s Toowong Process is targeting a more specialised constraint on copper supply rather than mainstream processing issues.
By moving from four years of development and testing to selling treated concentrate, Fortescue is effectively positioning itself as a technology provider in copper as well as an iron ore miner, echoing its broader diversification moves seen in our recent Fortescue coverage (e.g. power systems and Formula E).
If the Toowong Process can be applied to Australian and global arsenic‑rich copper deposits, it could unlock stranded or discounted resources, which becomes more significant in a market where copper prices have recently spiked high enough to push the top 50 miners’ value back above $2.5 trillion.
Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining database, then reviewed for technical accuracy & edited by our geotechnical team.
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