IMX Resources (ASX: IXR, TSX: IXR) has achieved positive flotation results for disseminated nickel sulphide mineralisation from the Ntaka Hill Nickel Sulphide Project in Tanzania.
Highlights from the test work on samples of the disseminated hanging wall mineralisation from the Sleeping Giant Zone included:
- Head grade of disseminated mineralisation test samples averaged 0.32% nickel and 0.07% copper; and
- Concentrate grades averaging 11.2% nickel and 3.2% copper achieved with 69% nickel recovery.
IMX Resources, managing director Neil Meadows, commented: “These positive results demonstrate the potential to economically recover nickel from the large tonnage disseminated hanging wall nickel mineralisation included in the March 2012 mineral resource update.
"This positive proof of concept is a big step forward on the path towards developing a mine at Ntaka Hill.”
Highlighting the potential to monetise Ntaka Hill - production of a premium nickel sulphide concentrate has already been demonstrated from conventional processing technology.
Production is forecast in the December quarter of 2015 at an initial rate of 10,000 to 15,000 tonnes per annum of contained nickel, expanding to a rate of 15,000 to 25,000 tonnes per annum contained nickel.
Ntaka Hill is part of IMX's wholly owned Nachingwea property in south eastern Tanzania.
Test conditions
IMX utilised test conditions that were identical to those developed for the main higher grade core of Sleeping Giant in which high grade concentrates (up to 18% nickel) were produced from a relatively coarse grind size (average: P80 of 100 micron1) with low reagent additions - representing extremely simple conventional processing for nickel flotation.
Meadows added, “This preliminary test work is the first phase of the definitive metallurgical program designed to fast track critical design decisions for development. Further test work is ongoing with 12 tonnes of samples currently being tested in Canada, with results expected to be available in the first quarter of 2013."
IMX said that by blending this disseminated hanging wall mineralisation with the main higher grade nickel from the Sleeping Giant Zone, or the other higher grade zones at Ntaka Hill, a premium nickel concentrate is expected to be produced.
This product would be highly sought after and potentially attract premium prices.
Results breakdown
The flotation tests were carried out on ten disseminated nickel sulphide diamond core samples at G&T Metallurgical Laboratories in Kamloops, Canada. Eight samples gave good results but two samples returned ’outlier‘ results that require further investigation.
Head grades of between 0.25% and 0.39% nickel, and 0.03% to 0.11% copper were tested to produce nickel and copper concentrates averaging 11.2% nickel and 3.2% copper respectively, at average recoveries of 69.1% for nickel and 83.2% for copper with MgO contaminant levels averaging 6.5% (excluding ‘outlier’ tests).
Additional metallurgical test work, including mineralogical investigations, will now be carried out on the disseminated hanging wall mineralisation to:
- understand the performance of the two ’outlier‘ tests with respect to lithology and volumes of material affected; and
- optimise the flotation conditions, which should lead to improvements in concentrate grade and metal recoveries.
This test work is part of the large definitive test work program being carried out to provide the design basis for the processing facilities at Ntaka Hill.
These results will be included in the analysis used in the Preliminary Economic Assessment update which will be released imminently.
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