IMX Resources (ASX: IXR) has highlighted the potential for nickel recoveries from the disseminated hanging wall mineralisation at the Ntaka Hill Nickel-Copper deposits at the Nachingwea project in southern Tanzania.
A recent assay analysis by joint venture partner Continental Nickel (TSXV: CNI) has found that mineralisation from the hanging wall within the Sleeping Giant high grade core zone is amenable to conventional flotation processes.
Good recoveries are expected, based on the low estimate of non-sulphide nickel mineralisation combined with the low levels of magnesium oxide-bearing minerals prevalent at Ntaka Hill.
These findings are particularly important when you consider that preliminary estimates indicate that hanging wall mineralisation represents about 50% of the contained nickel in the mineral resource estimate for the Sleeping Giant zone.
Early in March IMX and Continental reported a 150% increase in resources at Ntaka Hill, where the companies are aiming for production in 2015.
The new Measured and Indicated resources are 12.7 million tonnes at 1.21% nickel for 154,700 tonnes of contained nickel (0.2% nickel cut-off). Inferred resources have increased to 45,037,000 tonnes at 0.30% nickel.
Sleeping Giant has now been defined over 600 metres and remains open down plunge to the south. Interestingly, NAD013 and Sleeping Giant zone now connected into one mineralised zone.
IMX boasts an almost 53% beneficial ownership of the Nachingwea project because of its 25% interest in the joint venture and 37% direct investment in Toronto listed Continental Nickel.