EDM Resources Inc (TSX-V:EDM, OTC:SWNLF) announced the final results of a dense media separation (DMS) study on zinc and lead composite samples from its Scotia Mine, near Halifax in Nova Scotia, showing the potential to increase metal grades while reducing processing costs.
The company said the process could pre-concentrate crushed run-of-mine material prior to flotation, thereby lowering overall mineral processing expenses.
The DMS pilot plant operation demonstrated an 18.4% increase in zinc grades and a 33.5% increase in lead grades. Recoveries were 88.4% for zinc and 99.7% for lead.
EDM noted that the process could reduce waste mineral processing by up to 25% and have a positive impact on project economics.
The company currently operates a mill concentrator at the Scotia Mine with a capacity of 2,700 tons per day, enabling the installation of a DMS plant ahead of the flotation circuit within the existing processing facility.
“Applied conceptually to the 2021 PFS processing schedule, a full-scale DMS plant could increase the total amount of zinc and lead concentrate produced at the Scotia Mine as typically a DMS pilot plant's results are indicative of a full scale DMS process,” EDM CEO Mark Haywood said in a statement.
"In addition, more efficient processing of the Scotia Mine ores would potentially enable more ore to be processed in the flotation and dewatering circuits, thereby decreasing the overall processing costs per ton which could increase the overall NPV of the project," he added.
In other company news, EDM granted 2.8 million stock options to directors, officers, employees, and consultants at a strike price of C$0.09, expiring in August 2030.