Walkabout Resources (ASX:WKT) has a clear strategy to mine the high grade envelope at its Lindi Jumbo Graphite project in Tanzania that could provide an edge in attracting a cornerstone investor and path to early project development.
The initial resource at the Lindi was estimated at 15.3 million tonnes at 10.1% TGC for contained flake graphite of 1,542,000 tonnes.
However, it is the very high grade, large and jumbo flake graphite core of 2.6 million tonnes at 20.6% TGC, enveloped by 6.9 million tonnes at 8.9% TGC that should be the enabler to allow Walkabout to fast track a modular first stage operation from surface.
This would aim to produce a high grade, jumbo and large flake concentrate product. The strategy should assist to introduce an end-user market partner which will secure product off-take.
They say grade is king and ability to mine the high grades with reduced capital and operating cost metrics provide a significant advantage even more so, during cyclical downturns.
Recent metallurgical testwork has confirmed target recoveries and improved flake size retention with flake size ratios of Jumbo flakes (+300μ) now up to 40% and large flakes (+180μ) between 60% and 74% in concentrate. This saw consistently high recoveries of between 95% and 97%.
Interestingly, the Lindi project is also adjacent to Magnis Resources’ Nachu Project.
With a clear strategy, Walkabout Resources' managing director Allan Mulligan is confident production can be achieved in 2017.
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