Electric Metals (TSX-V:EML) told investors it has appointed Kemetco Research to undertake new metallurgical test work on composites of selected drill core samples from recently completed drilling of high-grade manganese at its Emily Manganese Project in Minnesota.
The company noted that Richmond, British Columbia-based Kemetco, a leading metallurgical laboratory, is familiar with the high-grade manganese project at Emily, having performed a series of tests in 2013-2014 on samples from the deposit.
The laboratory has since been involved in flowsheet development test work on other manganese projects that are aimed at producing feedstocks for the burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) battery industry.
"We are pleased to have Kemetco reconnect with the Emily Manganese Project to build on their previous test work which resulted in the production of electrolytic manganese metal and electrolytic manganese dioxide,” Electric Metals group CEO Gary Lewis commented in a statement.
"As our maiden drill campaign at Emily has now finished, we will be expanding the scope of our programs to encompass more studies that will further de-risk the Project and allow us to assess processing options and development scenarios.”
The company said core samples have been selected from the recently completed drilling campaign to make up two composites for the initial test work. These composites represent the higher grade (34% manganese, 21% iron, 6% silicon dioxide) and lower grade (16% manganese, 21% iron, 39% silicon dioxide) zones of the resource.
A total of 202 kilograms of samples have been delivered to Kemetco and will initially be tested using common beneficiation techniques including gravity concentration, magnetic separation and flotation to determine if the manganese grade can be increased while rejecting some of the iron and silica.
Samples will also be subjected to reductive acid leaching, purification and crystallization to determine amenability to hydrometallurgical treatment to produce saleable products for the battery industry.
The test program will be performed interactively with Electric Metal’s technical team, and it is expected to take approximately 14 weeks to complete, the company added.
Addition to EML Technical Advisory Board
Electric Metals also announced the appointment of Timothy Arnold, a US-based mining engineer with over 40 years of experience developing and operating open pit and underground mines across a variety of commodities, to the EML Technical Advisory Board with immediate effect.
It noted that Arnold is skilled in directing mine work including preliminary economic assessments (PEAs) and feasibility studies, permitting and mine design, project optimization, infrastructure, and all levels of operations from contract miner to chief operating officer (COO).
He is currently COO at Integra Resources Corp and previously held senior executive positions for Pershing Gold Corporation, Nevada Copper Corp, General Moly Inc, Coeur d'Alene Mines Corp and Hecla Mining Company.
"Tim brings over 40 years of mining and operations experience that will be invaluable to EML as we move into mine planning at Emily,” Lewis continued.
“Tim's experience and specialist skill set will complement the other TAB members and allow EML to benefit from a diversity of thinking and expertise unique to a company of our size and stage of development.”
Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com