Cyclone Metals Ltd (ASX:CLE) CEO Paul Berend Joins Proactive’s Tylah Tully to discuss how the company has completed a pilot production run of direct reduction (DR) iron ore pellets at its Iron Bear Project in Canada.
These pellets achieved “world-class” specifications, grading 67.5% iron, 1.6% silica, 0.12% magnesium oxide and 0.65% calcium oxide, with ultra-low deleterious elements.
The pellets demonstrated excellent physical and metallisation properties, including a cold crushing strength (CCS) of 438-486 kilograms per pellet and a 99.1% metallisation rate.
Berend noted that these DR pellets, which enable low-carbon steel production, are a significant milestone for the project.
DR pellets are crucial in green steel production, reducing carbon inputs by minimising the need for coking coal and enabling the use of electric furnaces. The company expects to start shipping bulk samples to potential offtake clients by Q2 2025.
With the completion of pilot work, the company will now move towards small-scale industrial production.
Cyclone plans to produce high-grade DR concentrate and pellets, targeting potential markets in the Middle East and Europe. The company aims to secure a joint venture with a Tier-1 miner or steel producer to advance the project.